In conversation with dr emily sandoz

Distortions or obsessions with our body image can follow us through life and are surprisingly common, so says one of the best known body image psychologists in the US - Dr Emily Sandoz from the University of Louisiana and author of the best selling book Living with your Body and other things you HATE.

We might think telling little girls they are pretty or little boys they are handsome is harmless and just shows how much we love and admire them.

But if done too much, and without equal praise for what they are doing and accomplishing, this can set up a train of events that can lead to a person placing their value only on their outward appearance and this has all kinds of negative knock on effects re our psychological wellbeing.

Here Emily advises how we should all, whatever our age, start first and foremost with what makes us happy and allows us to live out our unique potential. She cautions that we should use so called “beauty tweaks and treatments” with care as even hair straightening can lead to emotional hits that need to keep being repeated to retain the feel good factor.

Full of fantastic down-to-earth advice on how to live the best possible life whatever your age and circumstances.