How To Help Your Teen Have A Positive Body Image

Teenagers have a lot to deal with on a daily basis. They’re thinking about their future, trying to maintain social relationships, keeping up with schoolwork, and coping with significant hormonal shifts all at once.

On top of all of that, there are societal pressures that can creep in and wreak havoc on your teen’s mental well-being. That includes body image issues. 

Because teenagers’ bodies are in a state of change, it can sometimes be difficult for them to see how they look in a positive light. That can lead to bigger issues like anxiety, depression, or even eating disorders.

Thankfully, there are things you can do to help them foster a positive body image now and into their adult years. 

1. Be a Positive Role Model

While you might think your teen doesn’t pay close attention to what you do or say, you are still their biggest role model. They’re watching you more than you probably think.

So, make sure you’re showcasing what it looks like to have a positive body image. Eat healthy foods and stay physically active, but don’t obsess over your looks. Most importantly, don’t speak negatively about your own body. Doing so can make your teen feel like they have an excuse to criticize the way they look. 

2. Encourage Health Over Looks

Again, eating healthy meals and exercising are important for everyone. But they need to be done in the right state of mind. If your teen is exercising excessively or eating healthy foods to lose weight, that could lead to disordered eating habits.

At home, focus on health and wellness rather than weight or body shape. Teach your teen how certain foods fuel their body, and help them find ways of staying active that make them feel strong and powerful. When they start to appreciate how their body works and how good they can feel, they’re less likely to focus on how it looks. 

3. Monitor Social Media Scrolling

It can feel nearly impossible to get your teen completely away from social media. But do what you can to limit and monitor what they’re looking at. The things most people post on social media are nothing more than highlight reels of their lives. Images are doctored, filtered, and edited to make people look practically perfect.

Even if your teen recognizes social media doesn’t portray real life, comparison issues can start to creep in quickly. They might wonder why they can’t look as thin as one of their favorite influencers or even as toned as a friend from school.

Comparison can be a big problem for teenagers, especially when they see constant perfection on social media. Do what you can to educate them on what’s real and what’s heavily edited, and limit screen time at home. 

4. Foster Communication

One of the best ways to help your teen have a positive body image is to foster a safe home environment for them to be open and vulnerable. Encourage regular communication.

Good communication will not only strengthen your family bond, but it will reduce stress in your teen’s life. It will help them feel more confident in themselves, making them less likely to worry about body image issues. 

5. Talk to Someone

If you’ve already noticed some signs of body image issues in your teen and you’re not sure how to help, consider reaching out to a mental health professional. Therapy can serve as a great solution for teens who might be struggling with how they look. It can help them better understand where those feelings stem from. It can also teach them effective coping strategies and how to manage their overall well-being.

Your teen deserves to have a positive body image. If you’ve seen them struggling, don’t hesitate to contact me for more information or to set up an appointment for teen counseling.