Do you consider yourself healthy, a bit unhealthy, or maybe even sick? Your thoughts and perceptions about yourself and particularly your state of health can influence the course of your wellness. In this article, we will discuss the connection of personal perception to body image and overall health, and how having positive perceptions can unlock the path to optimal health.
The Impact of Body Image
A recent study published in Obesity Research & Clinical Practice investigated the connection between perceived and actual body weight among Chinese Americans. The study found that 32% of the participants did not perceive their body weight correctly, with 20 overestimating their weight and 32 underestimating it. Interestingly, women who overestimated were more likely to be found among the participants, while the men typically underestimated.
This finding shows that participants’ reactions to their weight are not too different from those of many Caucasian Americans. Many women who are of healthy weight try on clothing and ask, “Does this make me look fat?” Like the women in the study, they overestimate their weight. And many Caucasian American men, even when out of shape in middle age, still think they are fit and athletic, perceiving themselves to be thinner and more fit than they are.
When Perception Becomes Reality
Your perception of the state of your health and fitness can impact your life for better or worse because your perceptions can become reality, leading to self-fulfilling prophecies.
For example, those living with chronic pain may choose to view themselves as victims of their pain, which in turn affects their ability to enjoy life and participate in activities they used to enjoy. On the other hand, others living with chronic pain may instead focus on the joy and satisfaction that they can still experience in their lives despite living with daily pain.
This difference in perception can have profound effects on an individual’s overall health and wellbeing. By focusing on the positive aspects of one’s life and not letting pain or other debilitating conditions define who they are, individuals can still lead active, fulfilling lives even while living with chronic health issues.
Living Up to Your Wellness Perception
Creating a positive perception of your health and wellness begins with envisioning what you want your life to be like. Next, perceive yourself as someone vibrant and happy, and over time, you will become just that.
The key is to focus on the moments each day where you feel most vibrant and alive. By choosing to focus on the best segments of the day, you create a different perception of yourself and your life, which in turn has a profound impact on your overall health and wellness.
Creating Positive Change
Understanding our perceptions of ourselves and our health can help unlock the path to optimal wellness.
Everyone with a negative health condition or wellness issue begins each day at the same place—a place of choice and action that sets them on a wellness trajectory that can (and over time will) change their lives.
Our perceptions become our realities. By choosing positive perceptions about our health and wellness, we can take control of our lives and work towards improving our wellbeing, even when we face health challenges.
Make the decision to envision a positive perception of your health and wellness and watch how it impacts your overall wellbeing.
