Boosting Confidence: How to Strengthen Body Image in Adolescents

Adolescence is a fun and exciting time. It’s a time to learn new things, develop an identity, and take steps towards adulthood while still staking claims to youthful years. As fun as it can be, there are also many challenges that arise during this time.

During the adolescent years, the brain is still developing. This is where they’ll become more aware of self-esteem and their body image. Mental health matters are more fragile and can easily be impacted by the slightest things. 

Many children in the preteen and teen era struggle with their view of their body. As they move along through puberty, the experience with associated emotional, hormonal, and physical changes can increase this struggle. 

As a parent, you’ll want to do everything you can to make this experience as smooth and as harmless as possible. No one likes to see their child struggle, especially with mental health matters. Here are some ways you can help boost their confidence and turn their body image into a positive one. 

Set Good Examples

There is one thing you can be certain of: your child is paying attention to how you navigate your own world. They may give you grief about every possible issue, but they are watching what you do and how you respond.

Be sure to set a good example for them on what healthy body image and confidence looks like. Avoid making negative comments about your own body or pass judgment on others. Try not to place too much focus on surface level qualities. Instead, prioritize health, personality traits, and well-being.

Create Fun and Healthy Routines 

Taking that last step a little further, promote healthy habits for your teen. You can even use these as bonding activities to strengthen your relationship and further your own healthy habits. When they feel good and are in good health, their confidence will be at much higher levels.

Encourage healthy eating habits that focus on getting whole, raw, and unprocessed foods. This can be especially hard during these years with academic and athletic activities in addition to social time. 

Make exercise, or some sort of physical activity, a priority that becomes a routine. They don't have to be the most athletic for this to be effective. Explore things you can do as a family, like hiking, walking local 5Ks, bike riding, or dance classes.

Be sure that you’re educating and promoting healthy sleep routines as well. Encourage the appropriate amount of sleep each night, but also having a consistent sleep schedule. 

Limit Social Media

Unfortunately, we live in an age where we can’t fully eliminate screen time and social media use. There are benefits to this availability of technology, after all. 

Social media can paint a very skewed picture of reality causing chaos for any adolescent’s relationship with their body image. While they may not fully understand the depth in which social media posts can be fabricated, you can be a guiding force to educate them on healthy social media habits. Monitor what and how much they’re scrolling through. 

The less time they spend comparing themself to what they’re seeing online, the better their confidence will be. 

Have Open Communication

Your teen may or may not be confiding in their friends about certain matters, including mental health and body image. In order for you to help guide them in the right direction, they need to be able to confide in you as well. 

Create a safe space where they will feel comfortable coming to you with their troubles and having the important discussions freely. Avoid interjecting or passing judgment. Offer advice when they’re asking for it. As they develop more effective communication skills and learn how to overcome challenges with their body image, they will be able to maintain higher confidence levels.

—

Is your teen displaying body image issues? Are they lacking in confidence? Contact us to learn more about our teen therapy services.