Do you have a “body checking” problem? We all have our own body checking habits we do to get information about our body, things like weighing yourself, looking in the mirror, trying on different clothes or snapping a selfie. And while doing them in moderation is totally normal, when taken to extremes, it can become an obsession, ruining your mood and lowering your self-image.
So how do you know if your body checking is out of hand? Red flags it’s a problem include:
- If it impairs your ability to focus
- If it disrupts your work or home life
- If it leads to you avoiding meals or avoiding social gatherings because of fears about eating
- If you spend a excessive amount of time worrying about your weight or looks
- Or if you’re so preoccupied with your body image that it’s getting in the way of living your life.
And if you realize you do have a body checking problem, there are a few things you can do:
- Take regular breaks from social media since spending time on apps like Instagram can fuel your preoccupation with body image.
- Pay attention to the specific situations that trigger your impulse to body check. Monitor yourself and track your behaviors for a day to see if you notice patterns.
- Ask for help. If your habit has become a compulsion, a trained therapist can help.
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