Are you looking in the mirror and judging every lump, bump, and wrinkle?

In this episode, I'll look at the four components of body image and how we can change our minds

about our bodies.

Welcome back to Savvy Psychologist, I'm your host Dr. Monica Johnson.

Every week on this show, I'll help you face life challenges with evidence-based approaches

of sympathetic ear and zero judgment.

It's the start of a new year, and for many, that means standing in front of the mirror,

cataloging everything that is, quote unquote, wrong with your body that you plan to fix

this year.

Well, I'm here to help you fix your mind about your body.

We will start by giving a basic definition of body image.

Your body image encompasses your perceptions, beliefs, feelings, thoughts, and actions

that pertain to your physical appearance.

In essence, it's your personal relationship with your body.

I like this definition because you have a lot of control over those things if you're

using the right coping strategies.

The goal in my mind is to spend most of our time in a body positive or body neutral state.

There is enormous societal pressure to look a certain way, so even the best of us will

have insecurities that crop up from time to time.

We can be avoidant.

For example, performing behaviors like avoiding buying new clothes or looking into mirrors

or intentionally trying to hide parts of our bodies.

...