Body Image Spirals, Deep Self-Compassion, and a Dose of Reality

Body image anxiety isn't going away. What can go away is the willingness to slip into it. Here are some things you can try in those swirling moments of anxiety.

Here’s the thing: I’ve been doing body image healing work for more than a decade in some form or another. One of the many things I’ve learned: those spiraling moments, when you’re digging in the back of your closet for a different shirt because the last seven just weren’t right, and you’re breath is shallow and you’re starting to swirl down into that dark hole…they aren’t going away.

While those moments still grip me sometimes and I still feel that spiral swirling in my chest and feel the constriction and anxiety that comes with it—I’ve discovered that they can be easier to manage.

What can go away (with work and intention and commitment) is the willingness to slip into it. The inability to notice it before it drags you down. The ease with which you lose yourself, let your mood go to shit, and start to believe your body is the problem.

In my decade of doing this healing work, I’ve come to create a little process for myself when these moments start to grip me. That’s what I want to share with you today.

Disclaimer: I am not a licensed therapist, counselor, or mental health professional. The information shared in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a mental health condition or treatment.