body image
Life
This Is Your Sign to Finally Get Rid of Your “One Day When I’m Thinner” Clothes
“Goal” outfits actually keep you from your healthiest, happiest self.
By Jenna Ryu
Mental Health
How to Deal When You’re Having a Bad Skin Day
Breakouts, flare-ups, and other “imperfections” can really mess with your mood.
By Anna Borges
Life
How to Prevent a Body Image Spiral When You Put on Summer Clothes
When the swimsuits, shorts, and tank tops come out, so do the insecurities.
By Cathryne Keller
Pregnancy
How to Cope If Pregnancy Is Messing With Your Body Image
All the physical changes—and newfound attention—can bring up a lot of complicated feelings.
By Cassie Shortsleeve
Life
3 Things to Do If You’re Feeling Pressured to ‘Get in Shape’ for Summer
Don’t let “swimsuit season” BS ruin your confidence—or your fun.
By Cathryne Keller
Mental Health
Author Emmeline Clein on the ‘Machine’ That Fuels Eating Disorders and Grinds Up Young Women
“You’re less alone than you think—and less lost.”
By Hannah Dylan Pasternak
Life
Sheryl Lee Ralph Says That Racist Comments Did a Number on Her Confidence for Years
“For such a long time I was so unhappy with the way I looked.”
By Jenna Ryu
Mental health
Megan Fox on What It’s Like to Be Called a ‘Sex Symbol’ While Having Body Dysmorphia
She said the pressure to live up to a specific image was “haunting.”
By Jenna Ryu
Life
‘Dead Weight: Essays on Hunger and Harm’ Is Our March SELF Well-Read Book Club Pick
Author Emmeline Clein explores the near impossibility of having a positive body image today.
By Hannah Dylan Pasternak
Mental Health
5 Sneaky Ways Diet Culture Might Still Be Messing With You
Harmful messages about food and bodies are everywhere.
By Christine Byrne, MPH, RD
Mental Health
Try This 5-Minute Mental Exercise the Next Time You Feel Crappy About Your Body
It can remind you that restricting your food isn’t the answer.
By Christine Byrne, MPH, RD
Exposure therapy
How to Really, Actually Feel Better Naked
Insecurity is normal, but at a certain point, it can keep you from enjoying life to the fullest.
By Carina Hsieh
Food
Introducing SELF’s Diet Culture Detox Course!
New year, no diet! Are you with us?
By Cathryne Keller
Life
Ariana Madix on What It’s Like to Have an Eating Disorder on Reality TV
“I look back and I realize: Oh yeah, girl, this was bad.”
By Hannah Dylan Pasternak
Mental health
How to Protect the Teens You Love From Diet Culture BS
You’ve gotta be willing to call out anti-fat bias when you see it.
By Christine Byrne, MPH, RD
Mental health
How to Get Help If You Think Your Eating Might Be Disordered
Whether or not you have a diagnosable condition, you deserve to feel better.
By Christine Byrne, MPH, RD
Mental health
3 Things to Do If You’re a Guy Struggling With Your Body Image
Your food or fitness routine shouldn’t make you feel like shit.
By Jenna Ryu
Self-reflection
How to Stop Comparing Your Current Body to Your Former One
It’s easy to romanticize the past, but we’re not meant to look the same our whole lives.
By Jenna Ryu
Life
What to Do If Summer Makes You Feel Shitty About Your Body
Practical advice from people who get it.
By Christine Byrne, MPH, RD
Eating Disorders
A Chatbot Replaced Workers at an Eating Disorder Helpline. It Went Horribly Wrong.
Tessa, a program used by the National Eating Disorders Association, gave potentially harmful weight-loss advice.
By Amanda Hoover