When you look in the mirror, do you think, “Hey Sexy!” If you answer no, you are not alone. Many women feel pressure to measure up to certain social and cultural ideals of beauty which can lead to poor body image.
Body image is how comfortable you feel in your own skin. It is how you feel about anything physical, from weight, skin or hair color, height, and the changes that come with aging; even the appearance of your genitals and much more. For many, especially those in their early teens, body image is closely linked to self-esteem. That is because as kids develop into teens, they care more about how others see them.
Most sexuality experts agree, in order to be sexually healthy, both body and mind need to be in sync. When they are not, one or both areas can suffer. Many factors can influence this. A common influence is a woman’s level of comfort with her body or her body image.
A distorted body image can ruin your sex life. Good sex requires feeling good. If a woman is too concerned with her looks during sex, she can not focus on the physical experience.
With a positive or healthy body image, a woman has a true perception of her size and shape and she feels comfortable with her body. A negative body image includes distorted perceptions about shape and size; leading a woman to compare her body to others and feel shame and anxiety.
Being unhappy with your body can affect how you think and feel about yourself as a person. A poor body image can lead to emotional distress, low self-esteem, unhealthy dieting habits, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Developing a positive body image and a healthy mental attitude is crucial to a woman's happiness and wellness.
We all want to look our best, but a healthy body does not have to be linked to appearance. In fact, healthy and beautiful bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Changing your body image may be as simple as changing the way you think about your body.
One thing is for sure, the better a woman feels about her body, the more satisfying her sexual expressions and relationships will be. So next time you are in front of the mirror, give yourself a whistle and a wink. Learn to love what you see in front of you.
Stacy Lloyd is a writer and video producer in Phoenix, Arizona. A former television news journalist, she covered stories around the world. Currently, she produces corporate and non-profit videos and broadcast programming.