How to encourage good body image in your teen
Body image and self image although two separate subjects can be tied together. A body gives off invisible messages to other people. Whether these invisible messages be physical or metaphysical is irrelevant. Both are important parts of our makeup.
Lets look firstly at the physical messages our bodies send out. If a person feels good about themselves whether they be a teen or whether they be an adult, the self esteem shows itself clearly. They stand taller, thrust out the chest, head held high and proud of who they are. They speak with confidence and assurance, without being overbearing and attract peers without even trying. To achieve that wonderful sense of good esteem we have to of course put good body hygiene on top of the list here and that is where the parents influence comes in. Our teens have an even greater need for good body hygiene because of the changing things that are going in their bodies. The hormonal variations that are happening inside their bodies are causing external secretions tiny sometimes but nevertheless happening. Combined together are the pheromones, the perspiration, and whatever else and together they can produce an overwhelming odor as we all know when we have passed someone in the street that wasn’t taught the good methods of plain old washing. So body image really is related to cleanliness but not only that.
Secondly we look at the aura or metaphysical aspect of the teenager. The aura shows clearly how a person feels about themselves. How the body appears in the mirror to the individual will always have a direct influence on the ego but its important for a parent to point out to that awkward teen with a body that isn’t perfect, that there is no perfect body. No one is completely happy with their body package, even the most perfect looking model will have something he or she doesn’t like about themselves. It’s human nature to feel inadequate and that’s OK because we aren’t meant to have egos that think we are better than anyone else. Instead of letting a teenager get depressed because they are overweight, wear braces, are too short, too tall, have pimples or whatever other imperfection that they possess, its more important for you to help them to find their good points. Don’t look at them with the rose-colored glasses of a doting parent. Be honest and truthful with them. Look for the inner beauty that your mini you possesses, whether it be physical such as gorgeous eyes or radiant hair, beautiful shaped feet even, or whether it be just something about them. That smile that lights up the room, the face that makes the room stop breathing for a moment, or a genuine gift of talent perhaps. It might just be that they love to give, but that in itself is one of God’s gifts too so please let your child know that its one of their endearing qualities. Teach your child too to look deeper than the surface when they meet new people because beauty is more than a physical thing. Haven’t you ever felt that over-whelming charisma that draws people in when they meet that silly, funny wonderful person. Charisma is what makes a person attractive. The people that have the most are the people that are happy with who they are, not what they are. Their body image shows a confidence rather than a perfection and a peace with themselves. They don’t try to be someone else because who could be a better body to live in than the one they were born in.
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