Finding Support Networks

Discover how to identify supportive people, groups, or practices to boost encouragement.

Support Networks:

When identifying support people, focus on how they make you feel when opening up and how they show up for you. Pay attention to how your body and mind respond around supportive people versus others.

Consider these factors:

Trust/Privacy: Will they keep your confidence and have your back?

Knowledge: Do they understand the support you need?

Availability: Are they accessible when needed?

Communication: Does their style complement yours?

Patience: Are they understanding and tolerant?

Respect: Do they validate your experience and respect your needs?

Your support system can include friends, family, peers, colleagues, and others.

Types of Social support include attachment, social integration, opportunity for nurturance, reassurance of worth, guidance, and reliable alliance.

Supporting a loved one or how loved ones can support you:

• Focus on qualities outside of appearance

• Don't comment on your body or anyone else

• Talk about feelings rather than flaws

• Learn to listen & validate

• Positive social media

• Practice self-care for yourself AND with others

• Validate feelings, provide words of comfort

• ASK how you can help

• Support successes and show appreciation

Social Media Cleanse:

Research shows that social media, TV, and other media can fuel body dissatisfaction and comparisons. When clearing out your social media, ask yourself:

• Why am I following this person?

• Does it bring me joy?

• Does it align with my values (e.g., no body criticism, promotes self-esteem)?

• Does it represent diversity?

• Does it encourage functional fitness or focus on changing appearance?

With Care,

Taylor Ashley RP