What is body image?
Body image is the mental picture you have of your body, encompassing thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and beliefs toward your body. It is influenced by systemic oppression, biology, history, values, and more. This complex concept is processed in 8 different parts of the brain, making it difficult to understand even for researchers.
How does body image change?
Perceptual in nature, body image can change dramatically throughout the day or even within an hour, depending on circumstances. Your physical body may stay the same, but your perception of it can shift based on factors like mood, who you’re with, what you’re wearing, and your menstrual cycle.
What are body image goals?
It’s important to clarify your body image goals, whether aiming toward body positivity, neutrality, acceptance, or liberation. Remember, it’s a lifelong journey, similar to any other relationship you have, where some days will feel easier than others.
How can body image books help?
Body image books offer different perspectives on understanding body image, its influences, and tools to improve how you feel about your body. They can provide diverse perspectives and complement the work you’re doing with a therapist or dietitian. Books can be valuable tools on your body image healing journey.
Favorite books on Body image
1. The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self Love by Sonya Renee Taylor
Exploring body image from a social justice lens, Taylor introduces radical self-love as the antidote to body shame, offering compassion and equity toward all bodies.
2. More than a Body: Your Body is an Instrument, Not an Ornament by Lindsay Kite, pHD and Lexie Kite, pHD
This book challenges the current obsession with body positivity, advocating for body resilience and valuing your body beyond looks.
3. Body Kindness: Transform your Health from the Inside Out and Never Say Diet Again by Rebecca Scritchfield
With a focus on treating your body with kindness, this book offers practical steps toward respecting your body and leading a more meaningful life.
4. Reclaiming Body Trust: Break Free from a Culture of Body Perfection, Disordered Eating, and Other Traumas by Hilary Kinavey, MS, LPC and Dana Sturtevant, MS, RD
This book presents a holistic framework for body acceptance and liberation, rooted in rejecting diet culture and healing from societal pressures.
5. The Body Liberation Project: How Understanding Racism and Diet Culture Helps Cultivate Joy and Build Collective Freedom by Chrissy King
Move beyond body positivity to body liberation with actionable steps to finding freedom in your body, separated from societal ideals.
6. A Body Image Workbook for Every Body: A Guide for Deconstructing Diet Culture and Learning how to Respect, Nourish, and Care for Your Whole Self by Rachel Sellers and Mimi Cole
This workbook helps deconstruct diet culture and foster self-respect and care for your whole self.
