There are 4 parts to body image which are:

1. The way we see ourselves
2. The way we feel about how we look
3. The thoughts and beliefs we have about our bodies
4. The things we do to change the way we look like diet or exercise

Positive body image means your self-esteem does not depend on how you look.It means feeling good about your body. Having positive body image is important for our mental health.

Sometimes, how we see our bodies is not always reality or how other people see us and this can affect our mental health. For example, you might think that you are too fat or too thin but, in reality, you are not.

Many young Travellers can be worried about how they look especially about losing or putting on weight. This can make us feel down.

• Remember your body belongs to you – nobody has a right to ask you to change anything about your body.
• Appreciate all that your body can do like breathing, having fun and moving around.
• Surround yourself with positive people and if someone is being negative, avoid that person.
• Wear clothes that you feel comfortable in and that help you to feel good about your body.
• It is hard, but try to stop comparing yourself to others.
• If you are struggling with your body image it would be good to speak to someone about your worries.
• Avoid too much social media and remember that many of the people we see on social media are using filters and good lighting so it is not always reality.
• Remember that our bodies are constantly changing during the teenage years.