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Feb. 19, 2026—Do you like what you see when you look in the mirror? It's an important question, because your thoughts and feelings about your appearance can influence your well-being.

We may start to develop our body image when we're young, and it's often based on unrealistic media messages about what attractiveness should look like. That's one reason why our body image can take a hurtful toll.

Why body image matters

A person's body image can be about virtually any aspect of their appearance, not just their body size and weight, according to the Office on Women's Health. And how you feel about yourself can affect not just your thoughts but also your behaviors.

Having a positive body image—feeling comfortable in the skin you're in—contributes to good mental health. Having a negative body image, on the other hand, can hurt your self-esteem. It also may raise your risk for mental health conditions, such as depression or an eating disorder.

How to improve your body image

Practice positive self-talk. When you engage in negative self-talk, it gets wired into your brain. Positive self-talk counters these negative beliefs. Try repeating (or writing down) grateful phrases like, "Thank you, body, for allowing me to do what I do," or affirmations like, "My worth is more than my size or shape." Check out a short video to discover how positive self-talk can also help with stress.

Celebrate what you like about yourself. Even if you don't love everything about your body, there are probably things about it that you do like. And everyone has their strengths and traits that others like about them. Focusing on these aspects can help us feel better about our bodies and ourselves.

Consider choosing body neutrality. You don't have to love your body. But you don't have to dislike it either. Instead, you can take a neutral approach by honoring and respecting your body as it is. This is also where positive self-talk can be of help to you.

Focus on being healthy and feeling your best. Doing things that are good for your body may boost your confidence. Eating healthy foods nourishes your body. Exercising regularly improves your health and your mood. If losing or gaining weight could improve your health, talk to your provider about how to achieve those goals.

Dress for confidence. Of course, the clothes do not make the person. But choosing clothes you feel good in can boost your confidence.

Rethink social media. Consider unfollowing influencers and accounts that make you feel bad about your body or cause you to make comparisons. Choose media in general that supports body confidence and self-esteem, the National Eating Disorders Association advises. And while you're at it, consider spending more time in real life with other people who practice body positivity or acceptance of their bodies as they are.

Sources

• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "Healthy Weight Gain." https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/weight-and-body-positivity/healthy-weight-gain.
• American Psychological Association. "How Moms Can Help Their Daughters Build a Healthy Body Image." https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/healthy-body-image.
• Child Mind Institute. "How to Help Your Daughter Have a Healthy Body Image." https://childmind.org/article/how-to-help-your-daughter-have-a-healthy-body-image/.
• Mental Health America. "Ideas for Building a Healthy Self-Image and Improving Self-Esteem." https://mhanational.org/blog/ideas-for-building-a-healthy-self-image-and-improving-self-esteem.
• National Eating Disorders Association. "5 Steps to Body Neutrality." https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/5-steps-body-neutrality.
• National Eating Disorders Association. "Athletes and Body Acceptance." https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/athletes-and-body-acceptance.
• National Eating Disorders Association. "Body Image." https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/body-image.
• National Eating Disorders Association. "Getting a Healthy Body Starts With Healthier Thoughts." https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/getting-healthy-body-starts-healthier-thoughts.
• National Eating Disorders Association. "Let's Take Back and Redefine 'Beauty'." https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/lets-take-back-and-redefine-beauty.
• National Eating Disorders Association. "Media and Eating Disorders." https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/media-and-eating-disorders.
• Office on Women's Health. "Body Image." https://womenshealth.gov/mental-health/body-image-and-mental-health/body-image.