From social media influencers to getting an inside peek of celeb lifestyles, it’s easy to start playing the comparison game.  Being a teen oftentimes invites social pressures that can have you feeling out of place, isolated + constantly battling with body image. It can be difficult not to compare yourself to others when perfection is portrayed every time you scroll on Instagram. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five teens ages 13-18, have or will have, a serious mental illness.

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Knowledge is power + it’s important to learn more about yourself and how you perceive your body. We spoke with Jamie Manwaring, PhD, Primary Therapist from the Eating Recovery Center in Denver to give us additional insight on the impact of eating disorders and self-esteem.

Come join us for body talk!

With social media being so prevalent throughout teenage years, how has that affected the rate of eating disorders + depression of teens?

Many studies have recently shown strong correlations among the amount of social media used by teenagers, and their resulting body image dissatisfaction, internalization of the thin ideal, and symptoms of depression. We do not yet know if this has impacted the prevalence of eating or depressive disorders in teenagers, but social media can certainly provide unhelpful messages and triggers to teenagers at risk for these disorders, including a greater ability to compare to peers.

An eating disorder can lead to suicide or suicidal thoughts, how does struggling with body image create a sense of hopelessness?

We don’t know the exact mechanisms by which poor body image can lead to hopelessness, but we do know that body dissatisfaction predicts depression for girls, but not for boys (Bearman & Stice, 2008), although the relationship between poor body image and low self-esteem is similar for both genders (Davison & McCabe, 2006). For those who are unhappy with their bodies, this can create hopelessness due to being in your body all the time, and thus struggling to separate themselves from this component of their unhappiness.

Davison TE, McCabe MP.J Soc Psychol. 2006 Feb; 146(1):15-30. Adolescent body image and psychosocial functioning.
Bearman SK, Stice E. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2008 Nov; 36(8):1251-63. Testing a gender additive model: the role of body image in adolescent depression.

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Being a teen and discovering your personality can be an intense emotional roller coaster, how can friends + family detect between teen moods and a potential mental illness?

It is normal and natural that teenagers want to gain their independence and often react harshly to their parents to achieve this outcome. This, in addition to their hormonal changes, can make it difficult to distinguish what is normal versus what deserves intervention. Given that teenagers typically want to spend time with friends and engage in extracurricular activities outside of the home, a change in this desire for a teenager may signal something more is going on for them than just a bad day. In general, look for the severity of their symptoms, the duration of their symptoms (a deterioration in mood that lasts two weeks or longer may indicate depression versus a bad mood), and how many domains their symptoms impact (e.g., at home, in school, and with friends). Finally, parents should always trust their intuition and talk to their teenager’s medical providers and teachers to obtain a better understanding of how the teenager is functioning.

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Struggling with an eating disorder? Never be ashamed to reach out for help within a supportive community. Learn more here:

Eating Recovery Center

Confidence, beauty + freedom overflows from the stunningly beautiful, Kheris Rogers! This dynamic 10-year-old is blazing the path for young women of color everywhere to embrace their beauty and to rise above insecurities + ignorance of others.

As Kheris began to navigate through her school life she dealt with bullying from her peers when it came to her flawlessly chocolate complexion. Having a strong family foundation her older sister, Taylor, encouraged her to be proud of her beauty + not let anyone dim her light. Her sister then went on to post a photo of Kheris on Twitter using the hashtag #FlexinInMyComplexion and it went viral while receiving much love + support. She then developed her campaign into a t-shirt line which combats colorism by simply encouraging others to  embrace their natural beauty!

Let’s get to know Kheris a little better!

You are absolutely gorgeous both inside + out! What motivated you to start the campaign Flexin’ In My Complexion?

I was motivated to start the campaign “Flexin’ In My Complexion” because after sharing my story, there was so many people that reached out to me to let me know how they relate to my story and went through the same challenges that I am going through now. This inspired me to start my own fashion line called “Flexin’ In My Complexion” so that others can proudly flex in their skin as well.

Your movement has not only inspired young girls but adults to love themselves! How did you tap into your confidence + overcome being bullied?

I have the confidence to speak out because of my family. They have also told me to stand up for what I believe in and to not be afraid to speak up when something is wrong.

We all have tough days when we’re feeling down, what motivates you to stay positive?

Just seeing the impact my story has had on people motivates me to stay positive. It lets me know that I am not alone with how I am feeling.

The possibilities are limitless for your future! What do you want to be when you grow up?

My dream is to get into acting or modeling so that I can open doors for more people who look like me to follow their dreams as well.

We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why?

I am inspired by Michelle Obama because she motivates a lot of people to become a better them. She also works a lot with kids and looks stylish while doing it.

We are all about empowerment, what does EMPOWERMENT mean to you?

Empowering people is important because sometimes all someone needs is an extra push to become a better them.

Time for faves! Celeb Crush? Artist? Food? Movie?

My celebrity crush is Yazz (Hakeem from Empire). My favorite artists are Zendaya and Miss Mulatto from The Rap Game. The Rap Game is my favorite show as well. My favorite food is french fries that are extra crispy and alfredo pasta. My favorite Movie is Annie 2014.

Shop, support + follow Kheris here:

Flexin’ In My Complexion

Instagram

Twitter

Oh, how love is in the air! Hugs, kisses, chocolates, bears and the oh so sweet surprise gifts that Valentine’s Day brings! So it’s great if your boyfriend or girlfriend showers you with gifts but let’s be honest who doesn’t love to spoil themselves a little bit, too?  No matter if you’re boo’d up with your love or kicking it with your girlfriends, it’s all about showering love on yourself and we’re going to show you exactly how to do it.

Let’s get started…

Treat Yourself! – From classes to college applications to the parentals, you barely have time exhale.  We get it.  Being a student is exhausting…seriously. Sooo it’s time to schedule some well needed  ‘me-time’ this semester. We’re not encouraging you to blow your entire allowance BUT we are saying treat yourself to something you love. A cute top, an eye catching nail polish, or just time away from everybody without feeling guilty! It’s your world and you deserve a prize every now and then!

Playlist Party! Feeling yourself? Well, make a playlist that shows it! Create a playlist with all the songs that makes you feel like Beyonce, Michelle Obama + Naomi Campbell all in one. Crank up the volume, lock the door and have your own personal music video in your room. Yes, you’re the star of this party so you have to kill each move.

Dress to Impress- Here at C.O.R.E Mag we’re HUGE believers that it’s all about your beauty shining from the inside out! So if you don’t have a beautiful or kind soul you’ll never a have true outer beauty. Now, since that’s clear….it’s time to dress up how beautiful your personality is to the world. Have fun with your style + appreciate your creativity + beauty!  One quote will wrap this whole idea up—–> “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak’ . -Rachel Zoe

Give IT away- Ok, so this post is all about showing yourself some love but the best way to receive love is when you give it away! Yes, what you put out in the universe is what you get back in return. So share your appreciation to your besties and fam members! It’s the start button to feeling  the love.

Pucker  Up + Say It! –  You are the first person to hear your own words. That’s deep, right? Ok, so we’ve just dropped a little knowledge your way it’s time to head to the mirror, pucker up (we know you’ve perfected this with all your kissy face selfies for Instagram)  + say I LOVE YOU to yourself! Ok, now do it again, again, again and every morning that you wake up! Love every inch of yourself + let it shine bright! *KISSES*

SENDING YOU BEAUTIES TONS OF LOVE YOUR WAY!

“I am God’s idea and heaven’s dream. I am somebody of value. Therefore, I put value in my work, value in my play, value in my living, and value in my loving. I have infinite value.”

That’s something that I learned and had to recite often during my time as an engineering student at Tennessee State University. I’m not sure where it came from, but as I reflect on these words today, I have a deep appreciation for them and the fact that the dean required us to learn them. Those three sentences are so powerful because they remind us of how special and unique we are, affirm the fact that each of us are precious jewels, and challenges us to live our lives in a way that reflects our worth. That can be a tall order, but trying to conduct oneself as someone of infinite value might prevent a lot of the mistakes we make. It could also put us on the path to greatness a lot sooner than someone who is struggling with their self-worth.

When I think about a lot of the mistakes that I’ve made in life, quite a few of them can be traced back to making a decision not befitting someone who has infinite value. Many problems with relationships, friendships, and my career have been rooted in selling myself short. I didn’t see or acknowledge my value, so I let others treat me like something frivolous when I should have been requiring the treatment of someone who is priceless. Honestly, I can’t just put that mistreatment strictly on others; there were many occasions where I mistreated myself.

To be God’s idea means that I am of divine design, someone so special that even heaven sees my potential and has high hopes for me. My worth is beyond measure, so how dare I not work, play, live and love like someone who is priceless? And since this statement pertains to all of us, how dare you not do the same?

-Tiffany Vicks

One thing that is an absolute certainty is that things will always change. But even though we all know this, a lot of people have a lot of trouble dealing with change. I believe the best way to handle this is to try to be the author of the changes that happen in your life. Don’t just LET things happen TO you; MAKE things happen FOR you. Since we all know that things must (and always do) change, just be prepared for it. In order to be prepared, there are a few things that you need to know:

Change is certain, so if you never find yourself changing, you’re not doing something right.

My grandma used to say, “Your best sense is your bought sense”, meaning that you learn the most from the mistakes that you make. We are shaped by our experiences. As we go through different things in life, we learn a lot about ourselves and others, and we adapt accordingly. If you are smart, you don’t wait to learn only from your mistakes. You should learn from the experiences and mistakes of others.  You can do this by watching those around you, but a good source of information that is often overlooked is a book. People write about their lives in detail, so consider reading a book by someone that is living or has lived the life that you want for yourself and see what they did to accomplish the things that you would like to do. Anyway, if you find that your outlook on life is always the same, either you aren’t learning from the experiences of yourself and others or you aren’t having meaningful experiences. Either way, you need to get it together.

The way that you change is directly related to the things that you put into your life.

The idiom “you are what you eat” is the most basic way of saying this. If you are surrounding yourself with positive people and consuming positive things – food, information, and entertainment – you will likely begin to make changes for the better. All of that positivity will begin to affect you. It is inevitable. But if you find yourself doing things that you once thought stupid or reprehensible, then you are going the wrong way, and your decisions, as well as their influencers, need to be examined.

Everyone will not like the changes that you make.

Just like change is unavoidable, so is the fact that people will not always be happy with the changes that you make. I don’t know why, but most people are change averse. Therefore, you will likely face some opposition to any change that you make, even when it is for the better. Keep this in mind as you begin to move through life with your new outlook. When those that you trust speak out against something that you’re doing, take the opinion into account, but if you are sure that you are on the right path for your life, continue on your journey.

Change isn’t always easy, and it can often be very unpopular. But if you want to grow and become a better version of yourself, change is necessary. Therefore, seek out positivity, be mindful of the choices that you make, and push towards the things that are right for you even in the face of adversity. Change isn’t always a choice, but being proactive can allow you to exercise more control over that changes that happen in your life.

School has started. And if you are anything like I was in grade school, every outfit has to be perfectly coordinated, you cannot wait for Friday night football games, you are anxious to see who shares  your lunch period, and you’re more focused on your crush than your Algebra assignment.  You’ve got the beauty thing down (so you think), but the last thing on your mind is your health.

As a teenage girl I was a socialite, fashion- fused, busy body. While I was very outgoing and highly involved in student organizations, I struggled with self-esteem issues daily. I was heavier than most of my friends. I wasn’t fat, but I didn’t quite look like anyone else in my circle.  The issue wasn’t that I didn’t have time to focus on my health and natural beauty, but it wasn’t important to me. I ate cheeseburgers every other day, cookies when I wanted, and exercised when cheerleading practice required. Who has time for the “grown up” things, right? You’re just a teenager. You have the rest of your life to worry about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Plus, who else around you is focused on their health and maintaining their natural beauty?

Sustaining your own identity is important as a teenager; but in reality, it is easier to subcomb to peer pressure. A lot of times you fall victim to peer pressure without even knowing you’ve done so. Looking back on my grade school experience, I kept my hair straight (by way of a pressing comb) and made sure my Express jeans didn’t get any larger than a size 8. At the time, I thought this was for me and my personal satisfaction- it wasn’t. I straightened my naturally kinky hair and attempted to disguise my naturally thick, curvy hips because I didn’t want to be any different than those around me. I wanted to stand out enough to be considered my own person, but not enough to be dissimilar.

Different is good!  Different is especially good when it comes to your health and beauty. You are not your best friend or your cousin or your sister. You are who you are. And you should embrace every aspect of you while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It can be hard as a young lady, but the idea is to simply begin the journey of self love. Once you begin to identify who you are, you realize that it takes different things for different people to maintain their individual health and beauty. Not everyone‘s body is contoured to fit into a size 2 pant. Not everyone’s locks are silky straight, long, and flowing.  YOU are the definition of your own beauty. To me, my beauty is ensuring my body, mind, and spirit are healthy and maintaining a healthy, fit lifestyle. Yes, I workout six (6) times a week and I recently fit into a size zero (0). I wax my eyebrows and mustache and straighten my hair from time-to-time. I meditate and pray and constantly work on increasing my faith. But everything I do, I do for me…. I do because I love me.  If you don’t love yourself, the rest of the world will forget to love you too!

So, with all of the excitement around the latest trends and best dance parties this school year, don’t forget to care for yourself. Remember to stay encouraged, be true, and sprinkle lots and lots of self love.  In the words of ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus, “It takes more than just a good looking body [to maintain a healthy lifestyle]. You’ve got to have the heart and soul to go with it.” Enjoy The Quest ladies! Until next time, peace, blessings, health and beauty!

-Heidi Thomas