What Is Body Checking? Understanding the Behavior and Its Impact
Body checking is a behavior many people engage in, often subconsciously, as a way to monitor or assess their physical appearance. While it may seem harmless or routine, body checking can have a significant emotional and mental toll, particularly for those with body image concerns or eating disorders.
What Does Body Checking Look Like?
Body checking behaviors can vary widely but often include:
Pinching or grabbing: Feeling or measuring parts of your body, like your stomach, thighs, or arms.
Mirror checking: Frequently looking at your reflection in mirrors or windows to assess your appearance.
Scale obsession: Weighing yourself multiple times a day or feeling anxious about fluctuations.
Clothing fit tests: Putting on certain clothes to see how they feel or fit on your body.
Comparing: Mentally or visually comparing your body to others, either in person or online.
Why Do People Body Check?
At its root, body checking is often an attempt to seek control or reassurance. However, it rarely provides the comfort people are looking for. Instead, it reinforces:
Negative self-image and dissatisfaction.
Heightened anxiety around body changes.
A cycle of hyper-focus on perceived flaws.
The Emotional and Mental Toll
Engaging in body checking can have profound impacts on your well-being, including:
Increased anxiety: Worrying constantly about your appearance.
Worsened body image: Amplifying insecurities rather than alleviating them.
Distraction from daily life: Losing focus on meaningful activities due to preoccupation with your body.
Body checking is not just a habit—it’s often a symptom of deeper issues, like societal pressures, perfectionism, or disordered eating. Recognizing its presence in your life is the first step toward breaking the cycle.
Read more about body checking here!
You Deserve Support—Start Your Healing Journey Today
If you’re struggling with food, body image, or eating behaviors, you deserve care and compassion. You don’t need to wait for things to spiral or reach a breaking point before seeking help. Treatment isn’t about being “sick enough”—it’s about improving your quality of life and addressing the behaviors and thoughts holding you back.
Reaching out for support can feel daunting, especially if you’re questioning whether your struggles are “serious” enough. But the truth is, if you’re even wondering, that’s reason enough to explore help. You deserve a life free from the constant battle with food and body image.
At Side By Side, we approach healing from a holistic, self-compassionate perspective. We empower our clients to rebuild trust in their bodies, discover self-acceptance, and live a fuller, freer life. Together, we’ll help you move forward toward nourishment and peace.