The document discusses the concept of the physical self, emphasizing body image and self-esteem as key elements influencing personal well-being. It highlights the importance of healthy body image and self-acceptance, stressing that societal pressures shape perceptions of worth based on physical appearance. Strategies for fostering a positive body image include recognizing diversity in body shapes and challenging media portrayals.

1. PHYSICAL SELF

2.  Physical Self refers to the body,
this marvelous container and
complex, finely tuned, machine with
which we interface with our
environment and fellow beings.
 The Physical Self is the concrete
dimension, the tangible aspect of
the person that can be directly
observed and examined.

3. THE SELF AS IMPACTED BY THE BODY
 Body image is mental and emotional: it’s both the mental
picture that you have of your body and the way you feel
about your body when you look in a mirror.
 A healthy body image means that you truly accept and like
the way you look right now, and aren’t trying to change
your body to fit the way you think you should look.

4. THE SELF AS IMPACTED BY THE BODY
 Healthy body image is more than simply tolerating what
you look like or “not disliking” yourself. A healthy body
image means that you truly accept and like the way you
look right now.
 It means recognizing the individual qualities and strengths
that make you feel good about yourself beyond weight,
shape or appearance, and resisting the pressure to strive
for the myth of the “perfect” body that you see in the
media, online, in your communities.

5. THE SELF AS IMPACTED BY THE BODY
 Self-esteem is how you value and respect yourself as a
person—it is the opinion that you have of yourself inside
and out.
 Self-esteem impacts how you take care of yourself,
emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Self-esteem is about
your whole self, not just your body.

6. THE SELF AS IMPACTED BY THE BODY
Why do body image and self-esteem matter?
Body image and self-esteem directly influence each
other—and your feelings, thoughts, and behaviours. If
you don’t like your body (or a part of your body), it’s hard
to feel good about your whole self.

9. The Impact of
Culture on body
image and Self-
Esteem.

10. Society shapes us in many ways, possibly
more than we realise – from our
interactions, to our personal
development through to others’
perception of our bodies as a reflection
of self worth.

11. Body image is both internal (personal) and external
(society)
This includes:
 How we perceive our bodies visually
 How we feel about our physical appearance
 How we think and talk to ourselves about our bodies
 Our sense of how other people view our bodies
 How we look has possibly never held as much societal
importance or reflected so significantly on our perceived
self worth.

13. TODAY’S EMBEDDED IDEALS –
THE PHYSICAL
 MEDIA
The media is a powerful tool that reinforces
cultural beliefs and values, and while it may
not be fully responsible for determining the
standards for physical attractiveness, it
makes escaping the barrage of images and
attitudes almost impossible.

14. TODAY’S EMBEDDED IDEALS –
THE PHYSICAL
PREJUDICE – SIZE
Intolerance of body diversity has a lot to do with
prejudice of size and shape in our culture. Being
thin, toned and muscular has become associated
with the hard-working, successful, popular,
beautiful, strong, and the disciplined.
It’s an indication of moral character and we are
conditioned to think that fat is bad.

15. TODAY’S EMBEDDED IDEALS –
THE PHYSICAL
How can we build a strong and positive body
image?
Positive body image involves understanding that
healthy attractive bodies come in many shapes
and sizes, and that physical appearance says
very little about our character or value as a
person.

16. TODAY’S EMBEDDED IDEALS –
THE PHYSICAL
Individual Development and Self Acceptance
• Talk back to the media
• De-emphasise numbers
• Realize that we cannot change our body type
• Stop comparing ourselves to others