153 — How to Finally Feel Good About Your Body with Dr. Charlotte Markey

Do you cringe when you see a picture of yourself? Do you say negative things about how you look? If so, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to improve your body image.
 
Dr. Charlotte Markey is a renowned health psychologist and professor of psychology. She has an extensive background in body image research and has authored several influential books. Her newest book, Adultish: The Body Image Book for Life, delves into how our perceptions of our bodies evolve over time and provides strategies to improve our body image.

 
Some of the things we discuss are:
 

• How to increase awareness about your body image
• The things that impact how you feel about yourself
• The cost of poor body image
• The difference between maladaptive and adaptive investments in your appearance
• How to raise kids who feel good about how they look
• How to deal with negative thoughts about yourself when you look in the mirror

Key Takeaways:

• Body image issues persist despite increased awareness and dialogue, underscoring the need for ongoing conversations and interventions.
• The cost of maintaining societal beauty standards is immense, consuming mental energy, financial resources, and personal time.
• Body dissatisfaction is linked with various mental health issues, highlighting the need for a balanced view focusing on body functionality and gratitude.
• Social media’s impact is often negative, with curated fitness and beauty content contributing to societal pressures and personal insecurities.
• Investing in appearance should be adaptive—enhancing well-being without depleting resources or increasing psychological strain.