Overcoming body image issues isn’t a journey that looks the same for everyone. While for one person it might involve deleting social media and wearing a bikini, for another, it may centre around diet. An area of overlap for many, though, is rebuilding trust with your body and learning to love yourself. This is where routine healthcare comes in.

By taking your health seriously, you’re actively choosing to prioritise yourself. Each check-up becomes a small but powerful act of self-love and body positivity, helping you tune into how you’re feeling. 

Whether you’re overcoming body challenges yourself or looking after someone who is, here’s how routine healthcare can help. 

Book a Low-Street Appointment

The first step to reconnecting with your body is often the hardest. Make this adjustment easier on yourself by booking an appointment that doesn’t feel quite so scary, like a dental check-up. 

Going to the dentist narrows the focus of the appointment to your teeth and gums. Compared to GP check-ups, they’re often less triggering and traumatic; you don’t need to stand on a scale or remove any clothing, for instance. 

It also gives you the chance to walk through common anxiety-inducing processes in a less intense setting. You’ll gain experience booking appointments, sitting in waiting rooms, and talking with a healthcare professional, all of which bolster confidence for future check-ups.

Of course, while dental appointments can be an easier place to start for some, that’s not going to be the case for everyone. If the dentist is triggering, look at options for different healthcare services that don’t cause anxiety, like a dermatology appointment.

The aim here is less about the service itself and more about building confidence to move forward and regain trust in your body.

Take Your Sexual Health Seriously

When you struggle with body image, sexual health check-ups can be particularly daunting. These appointments involve intimate areas of your body and open conversation, making them a potentially triggering experience.

Anxiety around sexual health appointments isn’t rare, with 59% of people admitting they’ve never had a check-up. 42% of women also skip smear tests due to embarrassment, increasing their risk of gynaecological issues and cervical cancer.

As part of overcoming body image issues, try to reframe sexual health checks. These appointments should be viewed through the lens of self-care and prevention. It’s also important to remember that you’re working with a professional who carries out countless checks every single day. 

Speaking to a professional before an appointment is a brilliant idea. By contacting a general gynaecologist, for instance, you can ask questions about what to expect and why these checks (like STI tests and smear tests) are so important. 

Speak to Your GP About Anxiety

Anxiety around body image and healthcare isn’t rare. A third of people feel nervous when visiting their GP, and it can be easy to put off appointments – but it’s not the answer.

Instead, try speaking to your GP about your concerns. Let them know of your anxieties or potential triggers so that they can tailor your appointments to suit your needs. Speaking openly can also reduce the power of anxiety, making it easier to seek preventative healthcare in the future.

Remember, too, that GPs are there to help. They can direct you to mental health resources, for instance, or help you access eating disorder recovery support. Visiting your local NHS practice doesn’t have to be for physical issues alone, and taking that step to address your anxiety is a brilliant way to regain control of how you view your body.

Consider a Thorough Health Check

Health checks are an excellent way of reconnecting with your body and gaining a deeper understanding of your overall health. They shift the focus from ‘How does my body look?’ to ‘How is my body functioning?’, which can be pivotal in reframing self-perception.

If you’re over 40, you’re eligible for a free NHS health check every 5 years. This focuses on cardiovascular health and includes a variety of checks, including your blood pressure and cholesterol.

You’ll also be weighed and measured during a health check. For people who’ve experienced eating disorders or struggle with negative body image, this can be triggering. We’d recommend speaking openly to your health professional if you’re concerned.

For people under 40, you’ll likely have to opt for private healthcare for a full check. By going private, though, you can tailor your tests to have the biggest impact on your body positivity.

Build a Supportive Healthcare Team

Rebuilding trust with your body takes time and courage. It also relies on a sturdy support network, including healthcare professionals who make you feel heard, respected and safe.

This is especially important if negative healthcare experiences in the past have made your body image concerns worse. The trauma of negative healthcare is very real and can have long-lasting impacts. Shifting focus to building a supportive healthcare team can change the narrative, bringing more positivity to your recovery.

This might mean finding:

• A GP who listens to your concerns and treats you with empathy
• A Therapist who understands disordered eating and body dysmorphia
• A Gynaecologist who makes you feel safe to talk about intimate issues
• A nutritionist who specialises in EDs

With the right team, routine healthcare is transformed into an empowering experience, and one where you’re able to regain control of how you view your body. You’ll be able to ask questions, explore different treatment options, and have open and honest conversations about your overall well-being. 

The end goal? To remove fears around looking after your body in environments that feel safe and judgment-free.

Create a Consistent Self-Care Routine

Routine healthcare can also be practised at home. Outside of appointments, self-care can continue the recovery work done with professionals and reframe ideas around what a healthy body is. 

Self-care is closely linked to mental health benefits, too, like enhanced self-esteem and self-worth. It drives optimism, too, and lowers depression and anxiety, all while encouraging you to take the time to look after yourself.

Healthcare-oriented self-care can involve:

• Prioritising a consistent sleep schedule
• Learning about nutrition to support a healthier diet
• Adding exercise to your weekly routine
• Drinking enough water
• Journaling about your health goals

Following these habits turns rebuilding trust in your body into an ongoing process rather than one that stops at the end of an appointment. Every day, you’re consciously deciding to prioritise healthy activities not because they have an impact on your image, but because they make you feel stronger, better, and happier.

Final Thoughts

The road to body positivity isn’t always linear, and our last piece of advice is to be kind to yourself. Remember that steps backwards don’t always mean you’re at the starting line again, and that every recovery story involves overcoming hurdles. It’s not easy, but by regaining trust in your body and prioritising health, you can get there.

For eating disorder support and more articles like this, be sure to read the latest on the First Steps ED blog.