{"id":125169,"date":"2022-03-22T11:01:09","date_gmt":"2022-03-22T11:01:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/?p=125169"},"modified":"2023-03-22T13:23:03","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T13:23:03","slug":"social-media-body-image","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/social-media-body-image.htm","title":{"rendered":"Social Media and Body Image &#8211; Don&#8217;t Be So Sure You Aren&#8217;t Affected"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_125174\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-125174\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-125174\" src=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/hannah-xu-WBfD4PImKf0-unsplash-400x296.jpg\" alt=\"body image and social media\" width=\"400\" height=\"296\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/hannah-xu-WBfD4PImKf0-unsplash-400x296.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/hannah-xu-WBfD4PImKf0-unsplash-500x370.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/hannah-xu-WBfD4PImKf0-unsplash.jpg 709w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-125174\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Hanna Xu on Unsplash<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #333399;\">by Claudia Cole<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\">Sometimes feel bad about your body? Or struggle with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/negative-thoughts.htm\">negative thoughts<\/a> about your appearance? But know that Instagram and TikTok aren&#8217;t &#8216;real&#8217; and tell yourself you know better than to let social media and body image be a thing for you?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span class=\"s1\">It could be affecting your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/women-mental-health.htm\">mental health<\/a> more than you think.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">What is body image? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>It pays to look at what your definition of &#8216;body image&#8217; actually is. <\/strong>As it&#8217;s not just about whether we think we &#8216;look okay&#8217;. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">While it includes how you visually perceive your body, it also includes:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\"><span class=\"s1\">the way you <em>feel<\/em> about your body, particularly the amount of satisfaction or dissatisfaction you take in relation to your appearance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>if you do or don&#8217;t feel comfortable in your own skin, such as with how much space you take up<\/li>\n<li>how often you do or don&#8217;t <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/comparing-yourself-to-others.htm\">compare yourself<\/a> physically to others<\/li>\n<li class=\"li4\"><span class=\"s1\">your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/causes-eating-disorders.htm\">thoughts and beliefs<\/a> about your body <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li4\"><span class=\"s1\">your sense of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/why-dont-people-like-me.htm\">how other people see you<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800080;\">So even if you have convinced yourself you believe your body is fine, if you then constantly worry what others think of how you look, or generally feel uncomfortable in your own skin? Body image issues are at work.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>Social media and body image<\/h2>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-125177\" src=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-slaytina-4619829-267x400.jpg\" alt=\"body image and social media\" width=\"267\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-slaytina-4619829-267x400.jpg 267w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-slaytina-4619829-400x600.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-slaytina-4619829-600x900.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-slaytina-4619829.jpg 709w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 267px) 100vw, 267px\" \/>It&#8217;s not easy to study how much social media is to blame for our body image issues.<\/strong> Researchers might be able to show, for example, that Instagram affects the body image of their subjects. But what if those people were already more concerned with average with their body image, and more likely to be influenced?<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Nonetheless, a<a style=\"color: #993366;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S1740144516300912\"> research overview of 20 studies around the impact of social media on body image<\/a> and disordered eating concluded there was undoubtedly a problematic influence. And particularly when it came to &#8220;viewing and uploading photos and seeking negative feedback via status updates&#8221;.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>It&#8217;s especially a problem with young people, a time when<\/strong> our bodies are growing and changing in a way that can take getting used to. Particularly when it&#8217;s also a time we are trying to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/erikson-theory-eight-stages.htm\">establish our identity<\/a>. And a time when there is more pressure to fit in.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #333399;\">According to <a style=\"color: #333399;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mentalhealth.org.uk\/publications\/body-image-report\/exec-summary#:~:text=Research%2520has%2520found%2520that%2520higher,eating%2520behaviours%2520and%2520eating%2520disorders.&amp;text=Conversely%252C%2520body%2520satisfaction%2520and%2520appreciation,and%2520fewer%2520unhealthy%2520dieting%2520behaviours.\"><span class=\"s3\">The Mental Health Foundation<\/span><\/a>, over 40% of teenagers have said that images on social media have caused them to worry about their bodies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>The role of social media and diet disinformation<\/h2>\n<p><strong>It&#8217;s not just that we compare ourselves to filtered images<\/strong> from people we don&#8217;t even know. Or who have teams of makeup artists, photographers, and post-production editors making them look their best.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Another worrisome way social media affects our body image is through harmful and dishonest <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/psychology-of-eating-healthy-relationship-food.htm\">dieting information<\/a>. This includes trends such as &#8220;clean eating&#8221; and &#8220;fitspiration&#8221;. Not only does this idealise often unattainable &#8216;thin&#8217; and &#8216;muscular&#8217; ideals, but it also promotes unhealthy forms of eating and excessive exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Be honest. Have you ever considered or even started a diet or obsessive exercise regime because of something you saw or read on Instagram?\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Such dieting information can be completely dishonest, with photos claiming to show the result o<\/strong>f a certain regime that the person in the photo hasn&#8217;t even tried. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_125179\" style=\"width: 277px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-125179\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-125179\" src=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-mart-production-8846217-267x400.jpg\" alt=\"body image and social media\" width=\"267\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-mart-production-8846217-267x400.jpg 267w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-mart-production-8846217-400x600.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-mart-production-8846217-600x900.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-mart-production-8846217.jpg 709w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 267px) 100vw, 267px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-125179\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">photo by Mart Production on Pexels<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Or even dangerous, such as the promotion of<\/strong> unhealthy diet aids. Things like detox teas and appetite suppressing candies can have side effects like severe diarrhoea and the reduced effectiveness of birth control.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #333399;\">Dangerous enough that Professor Steve Powis, the national medical director of the NHS in England, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/health-47090374\">called\u00a0 for social media companies to ban<\/a> what he deemed \u201cirresponsible and unsafe\u201d promotions of such products by celebrities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2 class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">But is social media really the only issue?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p7\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Of course body image issues and eating disorders existed long before social media.<\/strong> Many things can impact how we feel about our bodies. Other factors and experiences can include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li7\"><span class=\"s1\">going through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/teenage-brain.htm\">puberty<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li7\"><span class=\"s1\">our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/dysfunctional-family-help.htm\">relationship with our family<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li7\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/toxic-friends-what-to-do.htm\"><span class=\"s1\">peer-to-peer<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>dynamics <\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"li7\"><span class=\"s1\">comments made by family and friends about your body <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li7\"><span class=\"s1\">having been teased or<a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/workplace-bullying.htm\"> bullied<\/a> about your appearance<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li7\"><span class=\"s1\">cultural differences around body ideals<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li7\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/gender-and-mental-health.htm\">gender<\/a> and<a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/psychosexual-therapy.htm\"> sexuality<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li7\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/child-sexual-abuse-counselling.htm\">sexual abuse<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/how-can-i-remember-childhood-trauma-abuse.htm\">trauma<\/a> as a child.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"p5\">No, I don&#8217;t like my body, but is it really a big deal for my mental health?<\/h2>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span class=\"s1\">According to a <a style=\"color: #800080;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mentalhealth.org.uk\/publications\/body-image-report\/exec-summary\"><span class=\"s3\">survey<\/span><\/a><\/span><span class=\"s4\">, <\/span><span class=\"s1\">over one-third of adults <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/how-to-know-if-you-are-depressed.htm\">feel depressed<\/a> with their body image. Among teenagers, 37% feel upset and ashamed in relation to how they think they look.<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>The survey shows how body image concerns are a fairly common<\/strong> experience and not considered a mental health issue in and of itself. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>But they can certainly still be a strong risk factor for mental health problems.<\/strong> As a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK546582\/\">white paper on body image distortion<\/a> points out:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #333399;\">&#8220;Body image can affect physical and psychological health and can influence self-esteem, mood, competence, social functioning, and occupational functioning&#8221;.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>The paper then goes on to show the links between body image issues and:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/anorexia-case-study.htm\">anorexia nervosa<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/what-is-body-dysmorphic-disorder.htm\">body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/truth-about-overeating-case-study.htm\">bulimia and binge eating disorder<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/eating-disorder-counselling-london.htm\">disordered eating<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/signs-of-anxiety-disorder.htm\">generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/depression-counselling-london.htm\">major depressive disorder<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-counselling-london-ocd.htm\">obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/rise-in-self-harming.htm\">self-harm<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/what-is-social-anxiety-disorder.htm\">social anxiety disorder<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/what-is-trichotillomania.htm\">trichotillomania<\/a> (hair-pulling disorder).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">What can I do to protect my body image? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\">If you&#8217;re struggling, there are ways that you can improve and protect your body image when online. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #993366;\">1. Show your body some kindness.<\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_125178\" style=\"width: 277px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-125178\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-125178\" src=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-polina-tankilevitch-8539045-267x400.jpg\" alt=\"social media and body image\" width=\"267\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-polina-tankilevitch-8539045-267x400.jpg 267w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-polina-tankilevitch-8539045-400x600.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-polina-tankilevitch-8539045-600x900.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-polina-tankilevitch-8539045.jpg 709w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 267px) 100vw, 267px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-125178\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\">A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S1740144515301236\">study on yoga and body image<\/a> concluded those who have a healthier body image also have higher levels of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/self-compassion.htm\">self-compassion<\/a>. Being kind to ourselves can help us curb our negative thoughts, allowing us to reset our self-image with no judgement or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/shame-definition.htm\">shame<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800080;\">What would your thoughts sound like if you talked to yourself the way you talk to your friends?<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3 class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #993366;\">2. Clean your social feed.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p7\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Sometimes, we&#8217;re so busy scrolling on our phones that we aren&#8217;t aware of what we&#8217;re consuming and how it makes us feel.<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p7\"><span class=\"s1\">That&#8217;s why it is important to take the time to clean your feed from anything you may find upsetting about your body. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p7\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Instead, you could try following accounts and hashtags that promote body positivity and makes you feel good about yourself. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #993366;\">3. Take a break.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>While being mindful on social media can help, apps such as<\/strong> Instagram can still increase the intensity of comparing your body to others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/quit-social-media.htm\"> Taking a social media break<\/a> or limiting your use of social media is another useful way to help ease the pressure when you&#8217;re feeling overwhelmed. <\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #333399;\">This will give you some time and space to centre yourself, remembering that not everything we see on social media is real.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3 class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #993366;\">4. Focus on body neutrality.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Building a healthier body image doesn&#8217;t mean you have to feel positive about it all the time.<\/strong> Changing how we see ourselves can take some time and can often feel more challenging on some days than others. Body neutrality is a great step toward self-acceptance. It allows you to focus and recognise all the great things your body can do rather than how it looks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Engaging in mindful movement is a great way to practise this.<\/strong> The above mentioned study on yoga showed the positive effects on body image as it increases your body\u2019s awareness, encouraging you to be grateful for your physical capabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #993366;\">5. Seek Support.<\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>If you&#8217;re struggling with your body image and it&#8217;s having a significant impact on how you feel, it&#8217;s best to<\/strong> seek some extra support. Sometimes, the cause behind our poor body image isn&#8217;t always straightforward and can result from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/what-are-adverse-childhood-experiences-aces.htm\">deeper problems that stretch right back to childhood<\/a> and need addressing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-london.htm\">Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) <\/a>is a common form of treatment for body image issues that helps you realign your thinking. If your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-london.htm\">CBT therapist<\/a> thinks you might have a diagnosable disorder like anorexia or bulimia, they can recommend you on to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/psychiatrist-vs-therapist.htm\">psychiatrist<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Sick of your thoughts about your body controlling your life? We connect you with a team of some of London&#8217;s most highly rated, friendly, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/eating-disorder-counselling-london.htm\"><span style=\"color: #333399;\">professional therapists<\/span><\/a>. Or use <a href=\"https:\/\/harleytherapy.com\/?utm_source=Harley%20Therapy%20Blog&amp;utm_content=Post%20End\"><span style=\"color: #333399;\">our booking site<\/span><\/a> to find UK-wide online therapists now.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>Still have a question about body image and social media? Or want to share your experience with other writers? Post below.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/claudia-cole-28ab801a9\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-124412 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/headshot-400x400.jpg\" alt=\"Claudia Cole\" width=\"136\" height=\"136\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/headshot-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/headshot-500x501.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/headshot-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/headshot-768x769.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/headshot-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/headshot-50x50.jpg 50w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/headshot-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/headshot.jpg 945w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 136px) 100vw, 136px\" \/>Claudia Cole<\/a> is a London-based writer and journalist. She is passionate about sustainable living, mental health, and wellbeing.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Claudia Cole Sometimes feel bad about your body? Or struggle with negative thoughts about your appearance? But know that Instagram and TikTok aren&#8217;t &#8216;real&#8217; and tell yourself you know better than to let social media and body image be a thing for you?\u00a0 It could be affecting your mental health more than you think. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":125174,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"yes","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"categories":[21,4,303],"tags":[176,145,159,177],"class_list":["post-125169","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-anxiety-and-stress","category-depression","category-eating-issues","tag-anorexia","tag-body-dismorphic-disorder","tag-body-image","tag-bulimia","has_thumb"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Social Media and Body Image - Don&#039;t Be So Sure You Aren&#039;t Affected - Harley Therapy\u2122 Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Tell yourself you are too savvy to let social media and body image be connected for you? 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