The New York Times ran an article in the science section on reflections of our selves through mirrors.  “A byproduct of that awareness may be a shift away from acting on autopilot toward more desirable ways of behaving.” Dr. Bodenhausen, one of the researchers of the mirror technique.  Apparently, you are more likely to behave in a more... shall we say proper, and of higher moral character if you were force to look into a mirror while doing whatever you spend the most time doing - work, study, etc. 

The interesting part of this study is that it was ineffective in animals raised in isolation.  Hmmm... like humans raised in the isolation of their minds?  We all know the one common ground for eating disorders is isolation, whether you isolate yourself from friends and family, or from the confines of your mind as it buzzes through all the things you're going to do when you "lose weight", or "get better".  How sad it is to wait months and years for that to happen and to look in the mirror every day it doesn't happen. 

I'm not at all surprised by this study.  I've been facilitating mirror images for my clients for years now, and it works beautifully.  When you imagine yourself walking up to a full length mirror looking healthy, vibrant and joyful, it creates powerful changes in your personality.  You WANT to be that person. You DON'T want to be the person that suffers in silence and hides away from the world.   Just being present with everyone and everything thing around you is healing in it of itself.  Now, where's that mirror!