Body image and emotions are deeply intertwined. Negative body image can cause and maintain emotions, and emotions frequently worsens how we feel about our bodies.
How Negative Body Image Drives Emotions
- Chronic dissatisfaction with physical appearance depletes psychological resources
- Body shame — a particularly painful form of shame — directly drives emotions
- Comparison of body to social standards is a primary emotions trigger
- Body image concerns often involve the same negative self-evaluation patterns as emotions
How Emotions Affects Body Image
Emotions can worsen body image through reduced self-care motivation, changes in appetite and weight, and a general negative lens that extends to physical self-perception.
Addressing Body Image and Emotions Together
- Body neutrality: Not requiring positive body feelings, just reduction of hostility
- Body functionality focus: What your body does vs. how it looks
- Intuitive eating: Reconnecting with hunger and satisfaction cues disrupted by emotions
- Therapy: CBT and ACT effectively address both body image and emotions