Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Health and Wellness

Feel A Lil' Better: What You See In The Mirror May Not Be What It Appears

Your weekly wellness boost from Odyssey.

Feb 20, 2020

980

Feel A Lil' Better: What You See In The Mirror May Not Be What It Appears

@ddlovato / Instagram

No matter how good (or bad) you'd describe your health, one thing is for sure: a little boost is ALWAYS a good idea. Whether that's reading a new, motivating book or listening to a song that speaks to your soul, there are plenty of resources to help your health thrive on any given day.

We've all gone to look at ourselves in the mirror — check to make sure our shoes match our outfit, on the lookout for loose hair, confirming that we are able to go out into the world in our current state — and been disappointed in the image looking back at us. Maybe your shoes actually didn't match what you were wearing and you needed to make a quick change before running out the door. Or maybe the issue doesn't lie within those easy wardrobe fixes. Maybe you're looking at your body with a hypercritical eye, immediately noticing how this and that isn't good.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) affects about 10 million people in the United States. This disorder takes the dislike of your body to the next level — altering the reality of what you see, influencing obsession, anxiety, OCD, and eating disorders.

Each week, we're bringing you the best resources and influencers to give you this mental health boost. Here's what we're following this week on body dysmorphia.

Book: "The Broken Mirror"

One of the biggest aspects of recovering from BDD is understanding that you have it. It can be all too easy to write off your dislike of your body for "what everyone thinks" without realizing the contortions your mind is making. "The Broken Mirror" breaks down the disorder, attributes

Podcast: "Food Psych"

Christy Harrison is joined by Sophia Carter Kahn, host of the "She's All Fat" podcast to talk about BDD and how to overcome it. They dive into how this disorder impacts an individual's dating life, relationship with food, and general wellbeing. Whether you are newly discovering BDD and how it affects you or are well on your way to recovery, this podcast will answer all your questions.

Instagram influencer: Angie Petrella

See on Instagram

Angie Petrella is a body positivity advocate who is all about transparency. She shares her personal relationship with body image, what she's done to heal that relationship, and encouraging words for you to take to heart.

Twitter account: Frankie

Nothing says community like strangers coming together with common struggles, talking it out. Twitter has the special ability to turn these strangers into friends, advocates, and shoulders to cry on — Frankie is one of them when it comes to all things BDD.

YouTuber: Melanie Murphy

OK, so you realize you struggle with body dysmorphia, but now what? Melanie Murphy brings her own journey to you with advice for taking on BDD with full force.

Musician: Demi Lovato, "Confident"

Demi has been an advocate for body positivity for as long as she's been in the public eye. Having an eating disorder of her own, her journey has been long and complicated. "Confident" is just the vibe you need for a boost, no matter where you are in your BDD journey.

BONUS: Color Me Body Positive

Adult coloring books? Already a thing. Positive body image? You're working on it, and maybe some doodles will help! It's fun, colorful, and, hey, worth a shot.

Is there a wellness resource you'd like to see featured? Send an email to lily.moe@theodysseyonline.com.

body positivity

Report this Content

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

78885

college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Navigating the Talking Stage: 21 Essential Questions to Ask for Connection

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

National Writers Society

144209

a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

48292

loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets

StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

University of Oklahoma

978393

Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat

Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

family and friends

Facebook Comments