| Health professionals tell us that improving our | | | | classes, dating and even social gatherings because |
| body image is one of the best ways to prevent | | | | of the way they feel about your body. Remind |
| the onset of an eating disorder. | | | | yourself that being cut off from the people and |
| Eating disorders are serious conditions that can be | | | | activities you love is not going to change your |
| difficult to treat because health professionals do | | | | body or make you feel better. In fact, the |
| not yet understand precisely how these complex | | | | opposite is true. Creating a supportive community |
| disorders develop. Why do some people develop | | | | of friends and family, and doing activities you are |
| eating disorders, while others don't? While many | | | | interested in can make you feel more secure and |
| health professionals have postulated many causes | | | | confident. |
| for these disorders, no one understands the | | | | 3. Helping others can make you feel better about |
| specific combination of factors that contribute to | | | | yourself. Consider participating in some kind of |
| the onset of the syndrome. Anorexia nervosa, | | | | volunteer work as a way to help others and feel |
| bulimia, and binge eating disorder are the three | | | | better about you. Volunteer work can help put |
| most common types of eating sicknesses. All are | | | | you in touch with those who need help, and |
| characterized by an unhealthy relationship to food. | | | | helping others is a proactive and positive way to |
| Health professionals believe that cultivating a | | | | raise your self-esteem. |
| positive body image and adopting a healthy | | | | 4. Think of your body as your best friend. Eating |
| lifestyle may prevent eating disorders. | | | | disorder patients often externalize their own |
| The following are five ideas for improving your | | | | bodies, viewing it as something outside of |
| body image. Practice them daily to make them a | | | | themselves that they must battle and subdue. |
| part of your life. | | | | Instead, think of your body as a best friend. |
| 1. Wear clothes that fit and flatter. Are you one | | | | Would you criticize or even despise your own |
| of those people whose closet is filled with clothes | | | | best friend? Would you support and nurture a |
| that don't fit right? Many times, we buy what we | | | | good friend, or would you treat them poorly? |
| like, and not what fits or flatters our bodies. Find | | | | When you think of your body as your best friend, |
| clothes that you feel comfortable in. Your clothes | | | | it makes sense to treat it with a sense of |
| should make you feel beautiful and comfortable. | | | | respect, love, patience and acceptance. |
| Avoid tight fitting clothes, or anything that feels | | | | 5. Make a list of all the things you love about your |
| even slightly uncomfortable or self-conscious. | | | | body. Write down everything that comes to mind, |
| 2. Don't avoid certain activities because of your | | | | even things that seem insignificant to you at first. |
| body. Many people who are self-conscious about | | | | Read your list daily and add to it at all times. This |
| their bodies often avoid activities they love. Many | | | | list can serve as a powerful reminder of your |
| individuals may avoid certain sports, fitness | | | | inner strength, beauty and health. |