Objective
This Body Talk activity can be done either individually or in a group setting. The objective of this body acceptance activity is to provide education about the role of body image distortion in eating disorders.
The goal of this activity is to increase insight into distorted thoughts and projection of negative feelings onto body parts, to challenge people to renegotiate negative body image focus, and to develop tools to support body acceptance.
This activity focuses on taking inventory of body image history from childhood to present day.
Materials
Markers, crayons or colored pencils (three)
Body outline diagram (two)
White board and markers (group setting)
Activity
Write down words or phrases that you associate with “body image” on the back side of your body outline diagram (individual) or on the white board (group).
Think about or discuss these ideas together.
Choose three colors of markers, crayons or colored pencils and a body outline diagram.
Using a color code, identify, color and mark parts of your body where you assign judgement.
Use “feel good about,” “feel neutral about,” and “feel bad about.”
Color code example:
Blue = feel good about
Yellow = feel neutral
Red = feel bad about
Next, take the second diagram and depict how you ideally want to feel about your body.
You may want to date the diagrams so that over time, you can notice how your body image feelings change.
Write down five realistic steps that you can take towards having a healthier body image and begin the steps.
Download activity here.
Related content
12 Types of Cognitive Distortions
Reframing Your Negative Thoughts
Dear Active and Runner Moms Who Experience “Mom Guilt”
Body Image Journal Prompts for Athletes
Ways to Strengthen Runner’s Body Image and Positivity
Body Appreciation and Positivity
Mirror Work Activity – How to Get In-Touch with Yourself
Journal Prompts: Have a healthier relationship to food
How to Get In-Tune with Satiety and Hunger Cues: Hunger scale
The Dear Mark Project Podcast on Spotify
Subscribe and follow for free mental health tips
Will you join me in my mission?
One of my many goals is to increase mental health awareness, the availability of free resources, and the access to services.
If you value my free mental health content it would mean a lot to me if you would like, share, or Buy Me a Coffee. This helps people find my free content and allows me to continue providing free content.
I can’t accomplish this alone, thank you for your support.
6 thoughts on “Body Talk Activity for Body Image”