Our body image can affect not only our mood and self-esteem, but it can mess up with our sex life too. The relationship to your body determines your pleasure in bed, studies show. Working with couples in Wake Forest marriage counseling, I learned so many times how low body image could have damaging effects on one’s sexual functioning.

And this mainly goes for women. As I mentioned, I’ve seen it so often in my practice as a marriage counselor in Raleigh, NC. The way a woman perceives her body can have a detrimental effect on her feelings of desire or her ability to become aroused or to have an orgasm. 

This kind of makes sense because if you don’t like yourself or your body, it might make it very hard to get in the sexual zone and turn on your erotic engine. It might not be easy to indulge in sensual pleasures when you feel that your partner negatively sees your body. 

But this doesn’t mean you should leave it to that. Don’t let your negative thoughts be your sex life’s enemy. You can start working on the relationship with your body, dismantle the destructive voice in your head, and restore sexual enjoyment.

What is Body Image?

Body image involves self-perception about your body. It is a mental and emotional picture of your sexual attractiveness and how you feel about yourself. A healthy body image means that you feel good about your body and accept it as it is. 

However, many people find it challenging to cultivate a positive body image with society’s beauty ideals. We are constantly bombarded with images of perfect people in media, causing us to pay too much attention to our real or imagined flaws and feel uncomfortable in our skin.

Body self-consciousness is caused by internalized societal messages that cause you to feel ashamed about how you look. And this body uneasiness can severely undermine your sex life. 

How to overcome these self-destructive feelings and rekindle a positive relationship with your body? Here are a few guidelines on unpacking your body image issues and boosting your sexual life. 

Practice Mindfulness to Challenge Negative Thoughts

To address your body image issues and get back on track sexually, you need to learn to silence the negative voices in your head. So, every time you notice being self-conscious about how you look, take a minute to reflect on good things about yourself mindfully. 

Mindfulness can help you identify negative thoughts and how they make you feel. It can also teach you how to become less judgmental and appreciate your health, skills, and physical condition.

Observe your thoughts without accepting them as true. Focus on yourself as a whole person and think about things you like about your body to boost confidence and sensuality.

Cultivate Self-Compassion

Once you learn to identify your negative thoughts and address how you feel about them, you will become empowered to choose positive self-messages instead. 

It is essential to be present with your thoughts and feelings and acknowledge that they are not your truth. Give yourself some self-compassion instead for the issues you are having around your body image. 

Self-compassion means giving yourself the love and understanding you would offer to someone you love. It allows you to understand that no one is perfect and that you are not alone in your suffering. 

Self-kindness has the power to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, boost self-esteem and improve self-image. It can help break the pattern of negative thoughts about yourself and help you open up to possibilities and pleasures. 

Try Body Image Affirmations

To improve the relationship to your body, including positive body image statements in your daily routine. Positive messages about your body will boost self-love and self-esteem. You can write affirmations down and place where you can see them throughout the day. Here are some statements to enhance your body image and lift your confidence: 

• I love myself

• I love my body

• I feel good about my body

• I am healthy and strong

• I am grateful for my body

• I take care of myself

• I accept and respect my body

Seek Counseling

Keeping your concerns to yourself can take a toll on your health, productivity, and relationships. Couples counseling for individuals in Wake Forest can be a safe place to unpack your negative body image and start restructuring your sex life. 

Before you engage in marriage therapy or couples intensive in Raleigh, NC, you might want to address your body image issues with a therapist specializing in couples therapy and relational counseling with individuals. Sex life issues are a relational problem but can cause you to feel isolated and alone. 

Summary

Our body image can strongly impact our sex life. The relationship to your body has a say in your sexual enjoyment (or lack of it), so addressing negative body self-perception can be vital in restoring intimacy in your marriage.

Opening up about your distress to a qualified couples counselor can bring a sense of relief and hope. Addressing your problems can take the emotional burden off your shoulders, lead to increased awareness, and help rekindle closeness and intimacy with your partner. 

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment in my Wake Forest or virtual office, do not hesitate to call me at (703)-347-3200 for your free of charge 15-min phone consultation. 

You can also book your free 15 min phone consultation online by clicking here https://www.irinabaechlecounselingllc.com/book-a-consult