Why body image gets louder in spring (and what to do instead)

*I want to make it clear that I (Jessica Fisher) am not a psychologist or medical doctor. This newsletter has been based on my own research and if any of the topics discussed trigger you, or make you feel uncomfortable, please do seek professional help. 

Hey, Hi, Hello dear reader.

I’m Jess - founder of Function & Poise. My work sits at the intersection of strength, Pilates, mindset, and long-term wellbeing “power with intention, movement with meaning”. This blog is where I break down women’s health research in a way that feels clear, calm, and genuinely useful.

If you’re reading this in early March, you might already feel it. The light shifts. The calendar quietly nudges towards spring. Coats start to come off. “holiday body” and “spring reset” messages start circulating, sometimes subtly, sometimes not. And for many women, body image becomes louder.

• Not because you’ve suddenly changed overnight - but because the context has.

One of the most validating things psychology offers is this: body image isn’t only individual, it’s social. A foundational framework here is Objectification Theory, which explains how girls and women, living in cultures that focus heavily on female appearance, can learn to view their bodies from an outside perspective, almost like a project to be evaluated. This “self‑objectification” is linked with increased body monitoring (“How do I look?”), body shame, and anxiety (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997).  That matters because self-perception becomes less about inhabiting your body and more about inspecting it. And that inspection can be exhausting.

As a Pilates teacher and PT, I see this all the time - not in dramatic statements, but in the small moments:

• a client apologising for their stomach,

• someone re‑positioning their top repeatedly in a session,

• the way a mirror can hijack attention,

• the “I’ll feel confident once…” sentence that never quite ends.

These aren’t character flaws. They’re learned survival strategies in a culture that teaches women to be seen before they are felt.

Social comparison: the quiet engine behind “not enough”

Self‑objectification often teams up with another powerful psychological process: social comparison.  We compare to understand where we fit, that’s human. But when comparison becomes appearance‑based and constant, it’s a recipe for dissatisfaction. Research consistently links social media use particularly photo-focused behaviours with body image concerns and disordered eating outcomes, with appearance-based comparison acting as a key mechanism (Holland & Tiggemann, 2016). 

Body dissatisfaction vs body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
Let’s talk about language, because it matters.  Many young girls and women experience body dissatisfaction, disliking parts of their appearance, feeling self‑conscious, wanting change and then we only see that and target that one area. That is sadly common. It can still be distressing and it can still impact behaviour.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is different. The NHS describes BDD as a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about perceived flaws in their appearance, flaws that are often unnoticeable to others and notes it’s most common in teenagers and young adults. The NHS also lists patterns like frequent mirror checking (or avoiding mirrors), comparing appearance to others, and significant efforts to conceal perceived flaws. 

I want to say this clearly and gently, if your appearance-related thoughts are taking up hours of your day, driving avoidance, or making life feel smaller, you deserve proper support. My role here is not to diagnose you. It’s to help you understand what the research says and to signpost you to the right level of care when it’s needed.

The Function & Poise lens: moving from “How do I look?” to “How do I live?”

At Function & Poise, the goal isn’t intensity for intensity’s sake, it’s intelligent movement, refined strength, and sustainable progress.  So when we talk about body image, I want to offer a simple but powerful re-frame that sits well within my scope as a movement professional: Aesthetic goals are not “wrong”. But they become unhealthy when they replace relationships.

A body you respect is easier to care for. And the more you practise being in your body - through breath, strength, coordination, control, and recovery, the more your nervous system learns: I live here.

That doesn’t magically erase cultural pressure. But it gives you a steadier base.

Micro-actions to try this week

These are small on purpose - sustainable beats dramatic. First, a quick scope note: these are not treatment strategies for a clinical condition. They’re evidence-informed self-management tools that support healthier self-perception and reduce unhelpful triggers.

Pick one platform and do a 5-minute “comparison audit”:

• mute or unfollow accounts that reliably trigger body checking or “I’m behind” thoughts,

• follow at least 3 accounts that prioritise function, skill, sport, strength, mobility, or genuinely diverse representation.

Why this helps: appearance comparison is a consistent mechanism connecting social media exposure to body image concerns.

Shift the metric from appearance to function

Choose one non-appearance “win” to track for March:

• push-up progression,

• deadlift technique,

• walking stamina,

• sleep consistency,

• “fewer aches getting out of the car”,

• posture endurance at your desk.

Why does this help? Objectification theory highlights how appearance-monitoring pulls attention outward; function-centred attention is a direct counter‑practice.

Choose compassionate “body-neutral” language

Swap “I hate my…” for one of these:

• “That’s a body-image thought - not a fact.”

• “I’m allowed to feel uncomfortable and still show up.”

• “This body has carried me through a lot.”

Why this helps: it reduces shame language that fuels self-objectification cycles.

Hit reply and tell me: When do body‑image thoughts spike for you most - mirrors, photos, clothes, social media, the gym, or something else? 

However, if you want a calm, confidential space to build a programme around strength, Pilates, posture, and sustainable habits, I offer a complimentary consultation to help you get clarity on the best next step.