Coping with Negative Body Image

Perimenopause and Your Body

Physical changes are extremely common during perimenopause, and many of these changes can lead to a negative body image. These changes include weight gain, changes in body shape, changes in fat storage, and skin changes. These changes can cause a negative impact on body image and self-esteem. Here, we will discuss strategies for coping with a negative body image for women going through perimenopause.

6 Strategies to Cope with Body Changes

1. Focus on self-care: Prioritize self-care practices. Take a relaxing bath, get a massage, go for a facial, or practice yoga. Taking care of yourself can improve your mood and help you feel more confident. 
2. Practice gratitude: Focus on the positives – what your body can do, rather than how it looks. Daily gratitude journaling can help. Practice self-compassion and be thankful for all that your body allows you to do. 
3. Shift your perspective: Try to shift your perspective from focusing on external appearance to focusing on internal qualities like kindness, intelligence, and compassion. 
4. Surround yourself with positivity: Surround yourself with positive messages and people who support you. Avoid negative criticisms. Focus on positive affirmations and self-talk. 
5. Dress for confidence: Wear clothes that make you feel good about yourself. Feeling comfortable is key. Choose clothes that fit well and make you feel good about yourself. 
6. Seek support: Seek support from friends, family, or a therapist if you’re struggling with a negative body image. Talk to someone who understands and can provide a non-judgmental space. 

Negative body image and poor self-esteem is common. This is normal and it’s okay to feel this way. Remember to prioritize self-care and self-compassion. Seek support when you need to help cope with these feelings. 

It’s Fetch is a community that provides a safe space for members to discuss health and wellness topics. We provide access to archived health-related content, note the date of the last review or update on all articles. No content shared, regardless of date should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinicians.

-Written by Paavana Varanasi