Body image is how you think you look and how this makes you feel. If you feel bad about the way you look, it can lead downwards. But there are ways to feel good about yourself.
One excellent way to feel good about yourself is to make positive, everyday changes. By taking a stand about body image, you can make a positive difference for yourself, your friends and your community. The following five steps show you how.
Be kind
Make a point of not putting people down about their looks. Maybe telling your friends about someone's hairy arms doesn't make that person feel bad because she can't hear you, but you're encouraging your friends to be negative about bodies, which is just as bad.
So, think about what you say before you say it, and try to make your friends feel good about themselves. And if you hear someone bagging out about the way someone looks, butt in and say that's not on.
Educate yourself
Knowing the facts about body image will help support the way you think about yourself. Youthcentral's articles on body image deal with how big a problem negative body image is today, and what's being done about it.
You can read up on actor David Tredinnick's experience with body image problems, and learn about the Dove BodyThink initiative to educate young people, and how fashion, advertising and the media .
Finally, our Where to get help page has solid links to trustworthy websites about body image.
Know where to find help
If you are worried about your body image, or know a friend who is - don't do nothing. The Where to get help page has links to connect you to people who can help with body image-related problems, such as eating disorders and overtraining.
Spread the word
Let your friends know you're taking a stand on negative body image, and encourage them to take a stand, too. Share your knowledge and show them where you got it. Click the "share this page" button at the bottom of this page - or any page in the entire Body image section - to get everyone up to speed.
Get active
By taking a stand on negative body image - being nice to people, educating yourself and spreading the word - you can make some serious changes to your community. Our Do-it-Yourself Democracy section has heaps of tips and advice on ways to get change happening in your community.
You can encourage your secondary school or local youth centre to take a stand on negative body image, too. Schools and community organisations can apply for a positive body image grant to fund activities to help build self esteem.
The funding round for 2009 Positive Body grants has closed, but there will be another round in 2010.
For inspiration, read up on a previous grant winner's project, Monash City Council's Natural Confidence Exhibition.
