The impact of social media on the mental health and body image on Young Adults

Body Image and Eating Problems:

It can be hard to be body confident when our bodies are changing and it feels like everyone is obsessed about people’s appearance.

Swiping through Instagram shows you images that have been Photoshopped, filtered and posed.

But take a look around, there’s no “right” way of looking; we’re all different shapes, sizes and colors.

Sometimes worry, stress or a negative body image can result in unhealthy behavior towards exercise and food.

The following things can be a sign of a serious eating problem that could put your health at risk.

• Over or under eating, or making yourself sick after a meal

• Using laxatives or steroids that haven’t been prescribed

• Only eating a very narrow group of foods, or being preoccupied with food or exercise

BODY IMAGE and EATING RIGHT

Mirror, mirror…

Love and accept your body. Look in the mirror, what are three things you like?

Listen to your body…

Your body wants to be exercised, and nourished. Exercise for fun, not beauty and aim for three main meals a day and three nutritious snacks.

The right role models…

Try not to be influenced by other people skipping meals or commenting on weight. Be careful about the websites you visit and the people you follow.

If you’re worried about your eating or exercise habits or feel that you need to keep them a secret, then it’s a good idea to talk to someone you trust.

OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO…

• Breathing exercises can really help a lot of situations.

• Eating healthy means following a healthy eating pattern that includes a variety of nutritious foods and drinks. It also means getting the number of calories that’s right for you (not eating too much or too little).

• Take time out from social media, it’s not always good for our mental health. Plan some screen-free time every week.

• It’s tempting to share personal feelings on social media, but you can’t know how that will be used. Text or talk to someone you trust instead. If they don’t respond, try someone else!

If you can bounce back from the ups and downs of life then you’re more likely to seek out new experiences and opportunities.

Things that help you bounce back aren’t always to do with you.

Make a difference to others

Look out for a friend, join a club or volunteer your time. It builds your self-esteem and expands the network of people looking out for you.

Say no to negativity

Learn to filter out the negativity of others. Don’t listen to their negative comments. The image in the mirror is uniquely you… lots of people think that you are fabulous!

Find that trusted adult

There are people who love and care for you and want to help. It’s OK if it’s not easy or possible to talk to one of your parents. Who are the other adults in your family, community or school who could step in and support you instead?

There is always someone there to help…  JUST ASK!