What we’ll cover:

• How body image affects your mental health, motivation, and wellbeing.
• Simple ways to have a healthier relationship with your body image.
• How self-compassion can help you handle setbacks.
• How to notice progress in ways that feel supportive and encouraging.

What is body image? 

‘Body image’ is a term that describes how we think and feel about our bodies. This includes how it looks, feels, and moves. Your feelings about your body can start when you are young and can be shaped by:

• Family and friends: how they talk about or treat their own bodies.
• Media and social pressure: seeing edited or idealised images on social media, on TV, or in magazines.
• Past experiences: trauma, bullying, or mental health struggles.
• Society and culture: including gender expectations and beauty standards.

Your body image can change over time. Sometimes it may cause worry or stress, and other times you may feel more comfortable and accepting. 

Remember, you are not alone. Over a third of adults in the UK report feeling anxious or low about their body. If these feelings affect your daily life, relationships, or wellbeing, it’s important to get support from your GP.

Self-compassion over self-criticism

Self-compassion means treating yourself with kindness, especially when life feels hard. One way to practise it is to imagine how you would support a close friend in the same situation, then give yourself the same care.

Research shows that people who practise self-compassion instead of self-criticism handle setbacks better. This can support weight loss progress over time. Other benefits include reduced feelings of stress and anxiety.

Supporting a healthier body image

At Roczen, we encourage you to focus on goals that help your overall wellbeing, like having more energy and improving your physical and mental health. We also understand that you may want to make changes to your body to feel more confident or comfortable. We support you in doing this in a healthy, kind way.

Practical steps to support your body image:

• Notice and challenge negative self-talk. When you think “I look awful today”, try saying: “My body is doing its best today.”
• Limit exposure to unrealistic images. Notice how social media makes you feel. Unfollow accounts that make you compare yourself to edited or filtered content.
• Focus on what your body can do. Appreciate your strength, movement, and energy. You could even write this on a post-it note as a daily reminder.
• Respond with care, not criticism. If you notice self-criticism, pause and ask: “What would I do for a friend feeling this way?” then act kindly. This could mean resting, stretching, or eating a balanced, comforting meal.

Summary

Body image and self-compassion go hand in hand. Noticing negative thoughts, focusing on what your body can do, and limiting comparisons can help protect your mental health. Being kind to yourself supports a healthier, more positive relationship with your body over time.