Body Image Musings with a Journal

Many people with eating disorders struggle with body image issues. While this is not at 
the root for every eating disorder, many of them go hand-in-hand. If you want to get 
control of your body image problems, using a journal can be an excellent tool for you.

Body Dysmorphia and Body Image

The first way you can deal with body image issues with your journal is to get help with 
your body dysmorphia. This is very closely related to both body image problems and 
eating disorders. With body dysmorphia, you have a certain quality about your 
appearance you deem as a flaw, that you obsess over so much, you might end up 
hurting yourself physically and mentally over it. With a journal, you can talk about this a 
lot more, practice gratitude, and really get down to the root of your issues.

Dealing with Anxiety and Depression

Journaling can also help you with underlying anxiety or depression that can be linked 
with body image problems. So many mental health issues and eating disorders are very 
closely linked, so by getting help with one thing, you help other issues as well. If you 
feel like you have body image problems that are exacerbated by anxiety or depression, 
then writing your thoughts in a journal on a regular basis can be very therapeutic for 
you.

What to Write About

How do you use a journal for body image problems? Simple – write how you’re feeling! 
Write about anything and everything in regards to your body, anxiety, eating disorders, 
and anything else you feel is relevant about this topic. This can be as simple as 
explaining why you feel emotional about a certain aspect of your body, to writing a 
pretend letter to your body and hopefully finding some positive in it. 

Giving Gratitude in the Journal

This is such an important part of journaling when you have body image issues with an 
eating disorder. You need to get past what worries you or what you don’t like about 
yourself, and give gratitude for what you love about yourself. It can be small things or 
big things, just try to show gratitude for something about yourself or your life in every 
journal entry if possible. This combined with expressing yourself in a journal can really 
work wonders for you.

Remember that seeking professional help is always recommended for eating disorders 
and any mental health disorders you are suffering from.

