To empower you, to have a self-like, to know who you are, and to be yourself with confidence
It's pretty common for teens to care about their looks. Your "body image" comes from how confident you feel about your appearance, your own thoughts on how you look, and what you think others see when they check you out.
A negative body image can pop up when you're not happy with your looks, and it can mess with everything from hanging out with friends to eating habits and even your mental health.
It's totally normal to feel self-conscious and have opinions on how you think others see you. But don't be too hard on yourself! Embracing the positive aspects of yourself brings inner peace, while a negative self-image can hurt your self-esteem and well-being. So, take time to figure out who you want to be and get comfy with who you are right now.
How is body image formed?
Ever wonder how your body image forms? It's a mix of several factors, like what you see in the media, comments from friends and family, and your own thoughts and feelings. You'll often find images of "perfect" bodies all over social media, magazines, and ads, which can create unrealistic expectations. Plus, people around you might have their own opinions about your appearance or their own body goals. All these influences shape your own perception of your body. Remember, though, that you're unique and awesome just as you are, so try not to let these pressures define how you feel about yourself. Embrace your individuality and focus on what makes you feel healthy and confident!
For immediate help with eating disorders, you can contact the B-eat Eating Disorders helpline:
Call 0808 801 0711 for the youth line (under 18)
Call 0808 801 0677 for adults (over 18)
Email: fyp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk for the youth line (under 18)
Email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk for adults (over 18)
The BEAT phone lines are free, open 365 days a year. Their hours are 9am – 8pm during the week, and 4pm – 8pm on weekends and bank holidays.
Websites Offering Support:
A Mighty Girl
has compiled this collection of ten great books for Mighty Girls on body image.
TeensHealth.org
Are you putting yourself down? If so, you’re not alone. As a teen, you’re going through lots of changes in your body. And, as your body changes, so does your image of yourself. It’s not always easy to like every part of your looks, but when you get stuck on the negatives it can really bring down your self-esteem.
Books on this subject:
Banish Your Self-Esteem Thief
A Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Workbook on Building Positive Self-Esteem for Young People
Build confidence and self-esteem with fun, easy to read tips and strategies aimed at young people aged 10+. Packed with activities and real-life stories, it will show you what self-esteem is. Next it looks at how it develops, the impact it can have and how all this applies to your own self-esteem. You can use it on your own or with the help of a parent or practitioner.
Blame My Brain: the Amazing Teenage Brain Revealed
During the teenage years the brain is undergoing its most radical and fundamental change since the age of two. Examination of the ups and downs of the teenage brain dealing with powerful emotions, the need for more sleep, the urge to take risks, the difference between genders and the reasons behind addiction or depression.
Dealing with the Real Stuff That Makes Life Tough
aims to be neither preachy nor condescending using real-life anecdotes to help readers triumph over difficulties.
Growing Up for Boys: Everything You Need to Know
A reassuring, fact-packed book for boys on what to expect when growing up.
From Dr Emily MacDonagh, practising NHS doctor and OK! magazine’s popular Health and Parenting Columnist.
Dr Emily talks about the physical and emotional changes of puberty in a simple and friendly way.
Topics include:
- When and why will your body start to change?
- How will you feel different and why?
- What’s happening to the girls?
- Plus expert tips on healthy eating, positive body image, self-esteem, and lots more.
- With colourful illustrations and useful diagrams.
- Written in collaboration with a Consultant Pediatrician and School Nurse.
Mother of two and step-mother to teenagers, Dr Emily lives with her husband Peter Andre and children in Surrey.
Buy Here
Growing Up for Girls: Everything You Need to Know
A reassuring, fact-packed book for girls on what to expect when growing up.
From Dr Emily MacDonagh, practising NHS doctor and OK! magazine’s popular Health and Parenting Columnist.
Dr Emily talks about the physical and emotional changes of puberty in a simple and friendly way.
Topics include:
- When and why will your body start to change?
- How will you feel different and why?
- What’s happening to the boys?
- Plus expert tips on healthy eating, positive body image, self-esteem, and lots more.
- With colourful illustrations and useful diagrams.
- Written in collaboration with a Consultant Paediatrician and School Nurse.
Mother of two and step-mother to teenagers, Dr Emily lives with her husband Peter Andre and children in Surrey.
Buy Here
Growing Up: An Inclusive Guide to Puberty and Your Changing Body
A modern and inclusive guide to help every child understand their unique journey through puberty.
Written with consultation from experts in diversity, equality and inclusion, as well as biology and a leading LGBT organisation, this book covers many of the situations that are faced by modern children and teens.
Covering everything from physical changes and emotional development, sex and gender identity and including sections on friendships and emotional health, creating and respecting boundaries and online safety – this book truly ensures it is a guide for all.
Growing up is a natural part of life, and every child deserves to understand the different ways their body may change as they grow older. While puberty happens to everyone, every child’s journey from childhood to being a grown-up will be as unique as they are!
From getting taller and discovering hair growing in new places to developing breasts, experiencing periods or having wet dreams, this book provides the perfect stepping stone for every caregiver to have an open conversation about what it really means for a child to be growing up.
Written in friendly and accessible language that can be shared with a child or read independently, Growing Up also includes a further reading section and glossary to answer more complex questions, as well as signposting where young readers can find help from trusted sources outside of the home or school environment.
The perfect guide for parents and children alike to navigate the perils of puberty.
Buy Here
Healthy Mind, Happy You: How to Take Care of Your Mental Health – Everything you need to know about anxiety and mental health
This reassuring, fact-packed book for girls and boys is all about how to maintain good mental health while growing up.
Dr Emily MacDonagh, a practising NHS doctor and OK! magazine’s popular Health and Parenting Columnist, talks about anxiety and mental health in a simple and friendly way.
Topics include:
- What is anxiety, and how can you manage it?
- Why do people have low mood and depression?
- How to understand and express your emotions
- Plus, expert tips and practical information on self-esteem, the physical changes of puberty, resilience, and lots more.
Mother of two and step-mother to teenagers, Dr Emily lives with her husband Peter Andre and children in Surrey.
Buy here
Priceless: A Girl’s Guide to Uncovering the Beauty, Boldness & Brilliance Within
seeks to help girls of all ages change their perspective by uncovering and tapping into the beauty, boldness and brilliance within. Steele firmly believes that once girls have a clear understanding of who and whose they are, it can immensely affect their lives, as it did hers.
The Self-Esteem Team
contains everything you really want to know, but are too embarrassed to ask your teachers, from ‘How do I know if I’m healthy?’ to ‘What’s it like to take drugs?’