Have you ever heard anyone say that to you? Have you said that to anyone? If not...all it means is that what you have just heard someone say, you disagree with.
What if you could "beg to differ" with the running commentary in your head that tells you how you are supposed to look, act, be. Or what if you could "beg to differ" with the pressures you feel from all around you to look, act and be a certain way. The simple reponse to this is that you can! However, this is also one of those "easier said than done" moments. It is possible to counteract the messages you hear from within and from all around you...it also takes practice, time and patience...and the courage to disagree.
One of the most promising areas of research related to prevention in the area of eating disorders and body image has to do with dissonance training. Simply put, individuals are taught how to counteract or disagree with what they have held near and dear to their hearts - when what they believe it is hurting their hearts.
A few things you can do:
- Complement yourself or someone else on something other than your/their appearance. For example: I like that you always have something nice to say to me; I like that I try to help others; I like the sound of my/your voice when I/you sing.
- Stand in front of a full-length mirror with as little clothing on as you feel comfortable (the idea is not necessarily to be complete naked but to be able to fully see your figure). Consider your body in terms of what you like and/or how it works well for you. Say these things outloud to yourself. For example: I like my dimples; I like my arms; I like that my legs get me to school and back; I like that my fingers allow me to play the piano.
- Consider what you would say to a friend in order to try to convince her to stop harming herself by conforming to the "thin ideal." For example: Those images in the magazine aren't real - they're airbrushed and altered by computers - no one really looks that way; Your health and your life are more important that winning the approval of a judge/your parents/your boyfriend/your teammates. Now say those things to yourself.
Beg to differ wiwth the thin ideal!! The more you do, the more you may find that you genuinely agree with the idea that being healthy (physcially, psychologically, spiritually, emotionally...you get the idea!) is more important to you than...well, anything!
