By Counseling and Psychological Services
In an effort to enhance awareness of the impact of eating disorders, and promote positive body image, (CAPS) and our campus partners will host a series of free events for students Feb. 24 - March 2. It is our hope that by spreading the word about eating disorder prevention and treatment, and by promoting positive body image, CU-麻豆影院 can be part of the national movement to help prevent the spread of eating disorders, to improve access to treatment and support a healthier CU.听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听
Throughout the week we will be focusing on both eating disorders and body image issues. Many students deal with body image concerns at one time or another for many different reasons. When talking about body image, many people automatically think about issues around weight, however,听body image听is not just about weight and shape. Body image really refers to your relationship with your body which can include how you feel in your body, different body parts, the color of your skin, hair texture and gender expression among many other things.
How students feel about their body and the way that they look can impact their sense of belonging on campus. Take students who walk around campus but do not see many other students, faculty or staff听who look like them or who听do not feel represented in the media or in their areas of discipline. Overall, there is mounting pressure for students听to assimilate to what the dominant culture is saying they have to be and听what they should look like so they can fit in and feel valued. What this tells us is that this is not just an internal and individual听struggle, this is a social and cultural problem that we must all听address in order to听work toward having a more inclusive community where students can feel the freedom to appreciate, celebrate, and express听all of who they are.听
There are things you can do to help improve your body image on a daily basis:
1) Appreciate the great things your body allows you to do every day. 听
2) Help promote a culture of body acceptance by paying attention to the language you and people close to you use to talk about body image and try to make a conscious听change.
3) Focus on health and not appearance. What are the things you can do that help you feel good in your body, that give you more energy and that give you the message that you are important and worth caring for?
This year, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and our campus partners will host a series of events to enhance awareness around eating disorders and body image. Please join us :
Monday, Feb. 24, 1-2:30 p.m. in the Rec Center -听Take a Body Health Quiz, play interactive games, and get information about healthy body image.
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Darley Commons (WillVill) -听Take a Body Health Quiz, play interactive games and get information about healthy body image.
Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m. in the Center for Multicultural Affairs (CMA) Lounge, C4C N320- 鈥�How Culture, Identity and Our Environments Influence the Way We Treat Our Bodies鈥� -听听Get information about building a positive body image and participate in this workshop led by CMA.听
Thursday, Feb. 27, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the UMC -听Take a Body Health Quiz, get information on听healthy body Image and play interactive games.
Monday, March 3, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. at Norlin Commons -听Get your tea and cookies on! We will have body positive arts and crafts as well - a great way to de-stress. will also be there with resources and activities to support a healthy body image.
Sometimes issues around body image and听eating can lead to disordered eating, and in听some cases actual eating disorders. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else in your life, know that there are resources available to you:
- Counseling and Psychological Services, counseling.colorado.edu, 303-492-6766, C4C room听S440
- Psychological Health and Psychiatry, 303-492-5654