Body Image/ Self Esteem

Self-esteem is based on our opinions and beliefs about ourselves, which can sometimes feel really difficult to change.

Your self-esteem can affect whether you:

• like and value yourself as a person
• are able to make decisions and assert yourself
• recognise your strengths and positives
• feel able to try new or difficult things
• show kindness towards yourself
• move past mistakes without blaming yourself unfairly
• take the time you need for yourself
• believe you matter and are good enough
• believe you deserve happiness.

The things that affect our self-esteem differ for everyone. Difficult or stressful life experiences can often be a factor.

Causes include:

• being bullied or abused
• experiencing prejudice, discrimination or stigma
• losing your job or difficulty finding employment
• problems at work or while studying
• ongoing stress
• physical health problems
• mental health problems
• relationship problems, separation or divorce
• worries about your appearance and body image
• problems with money or housing.

Get to know yourself – for example what makes you happy and what you value in life. Some people say they find it helpful to write a diary.

Consider what self-esteem means to you. You might realise you’re basing your sense of self-worth on things that aren’t useful or helpful for you. So it could be about being kind and listening rather than being cool and popular.

Avoid comparing yourself to others. Try to remember that what other people choose to share about their lives isn’t the full picture and isn’t realistic.

Say positive things to yourself. It might feel really strange at first, but you’ll feel more comfortable the more you do it.

Let yourself have feelings. It’s normal to feel a wide range of emotions from sad and tearful, emotional, grumpy – or happy and cheerful.

Try to challenge unkind thoughts about yourself. You might automatically put yourself down. If you find yourself doing this, it can help to ask: “Would I talk to, or think about, a friend in this way?”

Celebrate your successes. No matter how small they may seem, take time to praise yourself and notice what you did well. It could also help to remember past successes.

Accept compliments. You could make a note of them to look over when you’re feeling low or doubting yourself.

Symptoms of an eating disorder include worrying about weight, eating too little or someone making themselves sick after eating. Symptoms can creep up people, they may become secretive, hide food, pretend to have eaten for example. It is essential to get help – maybe start by confiding in family or friends or arrange to see a GP.

Symptoms of eating disorders can include:

• Spending a lot of time worrying about weight and body shape
• Avoiding socialising when food will be involved
• Eating very little food
• Deliberately making yourself sick or taking laxatives after you eat
• Exercising too much
• Having very strict habits or routines around food
• Changes in mood
• Feeling cold, tired or dizzy
• Problems with digestion
• Weight being very high or very low for age and height
• Not getting your period for women and girls.