Improve your body image

First generation and low income college students are more likely to be women and/or people of color. As a member of all of these communities, I know that body image issues are certainly present in each.

With all the stress that can come with college life, worrying about how you feel in your own skin just adds to it. A negative body image can impact your academics, relationships, and general well-being.

Photo credit: http://www.adiosbarbie.com/

To help you deal, here are 5 tips to help you find your inner and outer beauty and improve your body image:

Look on campus. Your college campus probably has more services and resources than you know about. Many college campuses, especially those with women's centers, have programs and services designed to help you build a positive body image. Check out a book from the library about it and read up.

Break the cycle. A lot of the time, the same influences time and time again are making you feel badly about your appearance, like comments from family and images in the media. When something like that happens, do something about it immediately. For example, if your mom makes an unsolicited comment about your weight, tell her that she is hurting you and not helping you.

Look at the real you. Get naked and look at yourself in the mirror. What are your best features? As you look at your body, compliment something about your appearance. This is a form of positive self-talk. If you really don't see anything good about yourself, follow the next step...

Talk to someone. Health services at your college can often help you make a plan to get healthier or offer mental health services to help you feel better about your body. It can be helpful to talk to someone that is not part of your circle.

Get inspired. Look for and participate in displays of positive body image. Submit your picture to You're Beautiful, Dammit. Check out organizations like National Organization for Women (NOW) Foundation and their Love Your Body: On Campus, In Community campaign. There are blogs,  groups, and organizations out there that aim to help you build a positive self-image.

Help someone else. Try paying someone else a compliment about his or her appearance, just keep it sincere and appropriate (you don't want to be creepy!). Paying attention to the beautiful things of someone else and helping support that person's positive body image can help move you to seeing yourself in a more positive light.

You are awesome no matter what your shape and size, so I hope these tips help you to remember that.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.