Introduction

Everyone has their own unique relationship with their body, and not everyone will feel the same or use the same words to describe how they feel. When we spend time online, we might see images or videos that make us feel pressure to look or act a certain way, or to be ‘perfect’. This sometimes affects our mental health or the way we see and feel about ourselves.

The resources in this section of the Mind Yer Time website have been designed to help you think about what body image means to you. The Screensavers who helped to design this section of the website want you to know that it’s okay if you feel you need support with your body image.

There are many different people and organisations you can reach out to, and there is information about these at the bottom of this page.

What is body image?

An Advisory group on body image was set up by request of the Scottish Government in 2019. This group carried out a piece of research into the topic and came up with a few key definitions. It understands Good Body Image to mean:

“Body image is how we think and feel about our body. Good body image is accepting how our body looks and valuing what it can do, recognising that we are much more than what we look like. Having a good body image does not mean loving your body all of the time. Everyone has body image and how we think and feel about our body can change”.

Scottish Government and Mental Health Foundation Scotland (2020), Body Image, page 2.

Top tips for young people

The report also details seven key tips from young people!

1. It is okay to struggle with your body image
2. You are in control of what and who you interact with
3. Take time off social media
4. Use your voice
5. You have the right to love your body
6. Surround yourself with supportive people
7. Make use of safe spaces

You can read the full report here