Embracing Your Self Image During the Warmer Months
- silviatorreslmhc
- May 30
- 2 min read
By Margaret Riback, LMHC
Spring is a time of longer, warmer days, new opportunities, renewal, and growth.
Although warmer weather and longer days are typically known to lead to improved mental health, warmer weather can lead to worsening self-esteem and body image concerns. With the changing season, comes the shed of the warm layers that kept us safe in the colder months. For someone struggling with low self-esteem and body image concerns, showing more skin can feel really vulnerable and intimidating.
First, let’s talk about what self-esteem is, and how it can impact the way you think and act. Simply put, self-esteem is your self perception. Someone with a healthy self-esteem will be able to recognize their strengths and values without needing external validation. Someone with low self-esteem may feel that they are not good enough, and they tend to focus on their perceived weaknesses. In order to achieve a positive self-image, we can feel pressure to “look” like the people we see on TV and social media. Self-esteem can feel like it is attached to how you look, and that will impact how you feel. What if it isn’t? The grass is always greener on the other side. Your grass can be green too, you just need to water it.
3 Techniques to “water your grass” AKA improve low self-esteem:
1. Talk about it and read about it! Connecting with the right therapist can help you to
discover the root of your low self-esteem and define or label your negative thoughts.
Talking to friends and family, even finding people online that struggle with the same
emotions can help to reduce isolation and remind you that you are not alone. Research, as
in self-help books can also be helpful to provide education and insight.
2. Don’t hide from the fear: Hiding or fighting the fear can oftentimes exacerbate it because we are giving our thoughts power. Remember that your thoughts are thoughts, meaning they are not facts. Work with your therapist to engage in techniques that reduce the power of your negative thoughts.
3. Use social media wisely: Social media can significantly contribute to low self-esteem. The quote, “comparison is the thief of joy” perfectly captures the impact social media can have on self-esteem. On platforms filled with curated images and highlight reels of others’ lives,it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to unrealistic standards. It’s important to curate your feed to your values and interests and be wary of your triggers.
I want to end this post by emphasizing the importance of finding support. Remember, you are not alone, and reaching out for help is a sign of strength-not weakness. Below are some helpful resources, organizations, and self-help books that you may find useful on your journey.
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