There is only one you, so love yourself

Learn to love what you see in the mirror

When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see? Women in the U.S. are under pressure to measure up to a certain social and cultural ideal of beauty, which can lead to poor body image. Women are constantly bombarded with “Barbie”-like doll images. By presenting an ideal difficult to achieve and maintain, the cosmetic and diet product industries are assured of growth and profits. It’s no accident that youth, along with thinness, is increasingly promoted as an essential criterion of beauty.

Celebrate and nourish your body

Building a healthy lifestyle that includes a well-balanced diet and regular physical activity is important for a healthy body image. We all want to look our best, but a healthy body is not always linked to appearance. In fact, healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes! Developing and nurturing a positive body image and a healthy mental attitude is crucial to your happiness and wellness!

Do you have kids?

If you already have children, be sure to maintain a positive body image and teach your kids to love their bodies, too. More information on how body image issues can affect children is available at http://www.womenshealth.gov/bodyimage/kids.

Some content courtesy of The National Women’s Health Information Center. The original content and additional information can be found at http://www.4women.gov/bodyimage/.