It’s no secret that many people of all ages struggle with body image.
From constant diet ads, to overly edited and airbrushed models, to influencers selling “skinny teas” and intense workout plans – diet culture is pervasive. And teens are even more susceptible to its pressures.
Here are 3 tips for helping foster positive body image in your teen:
1. Encourage them to be mindful of their social media usage and the accounts they follow.
Remind your teen that many photos on social media are edited and unrealistic. However, there are also many wonderful accounts that represent diverse bodies and can contribute to positive body image like @bodyposipanda. Social media isn’t all bad – teens just need to be mindful of how it may be affecting their body image.
2. Be mindful of how you talk about your own body
None of us have perfect relationships with our bodies – and we don’t need to! Everyone struggles, and it’s totally normal if you have days where you’re feeling uncomfortable in your body or don’t like your body. However, be mindful of the way you talk about your body, especially around your teen! By modeling more compassionate language around your own body, your teen can learn to do the same.
3. Remind your teen that there is so much more to their body than the way it looks.
Remind your teen about the amazing things their body can do. When we focus on function over appearance, it can help us find more appreciation for our bodies, even when we don’t feel comfortable in them or like the way they look.