Sex, intimacy and body image

Negative body image can impact almost every aspect of your life, especially your sex life. And while fulfilling intimate relationships is a key component of general wellbeing, the shame hammered into us by societal messages about what bodies should look like is too often carried into the bedroom. It can seriously mess with our sexual experience.
“Self-judgement and self-criticism make us feel low, and when we're feeling low, we don’t feel particularly sexy,” says sex and relationships therapist, Adriene Cobcroft.
Sex educator and broadcaster Nat Tencic agrees. “You’re literally naked,” she says. “If you aren't comfortable in your skin, you're not going to be able to be in the moment and you're not going to be able to experience pleasure.”
The good news is there are ways to improve our body image and by doing so enhance our sexual enjoyment. When Nik Mitchell learned to embrace his vulnerability and be more body kind, he opened himself up to a fulfilling sexual relationship. Bella Davis learned how to get out of her head and into her body, fully allowing herself to enjoy the moment. Dating app Bumble’s Lucille McCart’s insists that authenticity is key. "I guarantee you," she says, "No matter what type of body you have, there is someone out there that will find you completely beautiful, but we don't hear that enough."
For help or support with negative body image go to butterfly.org.au or call the Butterfly Helpline on 1800 33 4673 or 1800 ED HOPE.
To find out more about our guests in this episode:Bella Davis is on Instagram @isabelladavis6For Nat Tencic, start with her website https://nattencic.com/Addy Cobcroft also has a website https://www.adrienecobcroft.com/You can follow Lucille McCart on Instagram @lucillemccartNik Navy is also active on Instagram @nik.navy

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