Today, millions of people are focused on the next set of beauty products or the latest clothes to wear. Physical appearance is a controversial topic that surrounds physical and social, emotional, cosmetic, and moral grounds. With the trend of cosmetic surgeries, it is easy to alter one’s shape. You can be pleased with your appearance by inquiring about facial and body augmentations. However, it doesn’t mean that plastic surgery is only indicated for esthetic purposes. Men and women have individual psychological issues that affect their feelings. Accidents and tragedies from emergencies may require a person to change their body image.
What Is Body Image?
What do you picture yourself when you look at the mirror? A person’s view of their beauty is body image. Their responses, such as emotions, attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions, define body image. It is a complex experience to determine what is body image. However, individual influences, both positive and negative, change the way they feel about themselves. Body image also depends on culture, family, friends, fashion, and side – effects on social media. Hence, there are negative or opposing views on body image, which results in bullying or body shaming. If you feel that you need help today, don’t hesitate to contact a psychology specialist for assistance.
Factors That Determine Body Image
Self – esteem is a motivator of a person’s choices and decisions, especially on improving their body. Hence, the lack of self-esteem, also called low self-esteem, decreases people’s desire to improve their lives. There are various reasons and factors to consider when looking at the mirror to check your ideal concept of self – esteem. Check out these factors that result in a changed perceptual image.
- Your General Physical Appearance
The general factors which define body image are height, weight, skin color, race, shape. Not every person loves their natural bodies as they are influenced by what the world says is a deal.
- What The Media Portrays As A Perfect Body
Contrary to general physical appearance, social media often refers to a perfect body to a thin, sexy, and unhealthy bone to skin visualizations. That explains why women often feel that eating less or wearing revealing clothes pleases national and local beauty standards. With these feelings, a person suffers from rejection, loneliness, and not feeling enough. Sometimes these negative thoughts can be harmful to a person’s mental health. If you are feeling stress, depression, or anxiety through these concerns, please seek a clinical psychologist near you.
- Parents And Family Members
Families that come from traditional or strict culture may have a perception of body image that is unhealthy. Several countries have limiting traditions that may even cause behavioral disorders. One perfect example is the issue of the Chinese tradition of lotus feet. Cultural identification may preserve cultural history, but unhealthy policies should not be neglected.
- Gender Preferences
Gender and sex are often a taboo topic which overlooks its importance to the minority. Through the past years, communities of LGBTQIA+ are facing the stressors of body image and discrimination. The recent acknowledgment of laws and rights for this community has changed body images that were once limited.
- Peer Pressure
Children, teens, and preadolescents are prone to the pressure of what their friends say. So, a feeling of acceptance at school from their friends or neighbors changes the meaning of body image. Frequently, kids that feel fat or that they don’t belong in a particular clique have consequences to face in their future.
- Self – Perception Of Beauty
Out of all the influences, a human expresses their opinions about what to eat, wear, or move. In this way, positive reinforcements of body image can lead to a healthier lifestyle. On the contrary, negative self – perception or esteem will demotivate them and even paralyze their will to live.
Are There Health Risks That Coincide Body Image?
What happens to people with an exaggerated body image? There are extreme spectrums to avoid, which range from medical, dental, psychological, social, and emotional problems. Notorious eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia results from a poor perception of body image. Bulimia nervosa is a life-threatening eating disorder that shows as the person’s secretly consuming large amounts of food and purging or vomiting the meal afterward. On the other hand, anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that shows an intense fear of gaining weight. An individual’s dissatisfaction with themselves may lead to suicide or, eventually, death from illnesses.
How Do You Improve Your Perception Of Beauty?
What you feel about your body shape can be jarring. Sometimes these feelings can also be deceptive as long as people depend on the judgment of others. We hope that you consider doing any of these to change what you feel about yourself through our tips.
Have Constructive Criticism With The Message Of Popular Media
The rise of the internet and the easy way to spread messages online can have its benefits and risks. With that said, every person’s responsibility is to have an intellectual or constructive criticism of statements on advertisements. Sometimes, what seems to be a famous catchphrase has a subtle message that critiques body image. The person may feel happy to comply with what they feel is good. But, it is time to look for a deeper connection on these messages, not to become brainwashed with feel – good messages.
Strong Mental Health
Why is mental health a key to a person’s body image? The way your body reacts to stress, anxiety, and depression can be fatal. According to psychologists, patients with previous clinical treatment will have fewer chances of regressing into psychological problems. Strong mental health is shown in a positive attitude and hope for a better future.
You may look for treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapies, antidepressants, brain-stimulation therapies, and other psychotherapy forms.
Plastic Or Cosmetic Surgery
Sometimes, body enhancements may improve a person’s definition of what is body image. Furthermore, plastic or cosmetic surgery has medical benefits. For people with severe scars, wounds, burns, or scratches from vehicular or aerial accidents, additional treatment, including plastic or cosmetic procedures, is recommended.
Acceptance Of Yourself
At the end of it all, how you love your body image is the only idea that matters. It doesn’t matter what others answer when people ask, what is body image? Learning to accept who you are despite what happened during your childhood is a sign of strength. Yet, don’t hold on to these past thoughts and continue to press forward.
Your treatment may depend on what you think helps you, whether spiritual, familial, medical, or psychological. Furthermore, acceptance and compassion go hand in hand. Building a healthy relationship and clearing toxicity and selfish acts may reduce the likeliness of suicidal thoughts.
Body Image And Physical Activity: Benefits Of Exercises
Have you considered exercising? If your age is still responding to exercises’ benefits, it is best to start your weight management today. A healthy body shape requires cardio (aerobic) and strength training (anaerobic) exercises to become fit. However, patients with severe eating disorders or body dysmorphic disorder need professional’s help. You may ask your dietician or nutritionist for a better program to follow during your recovery period. On the other hand, here are some benefits of a weight management routine you can try today.
Weight Loss Reduces Embarrassment
Often, the reason why men and women feel ashamed about their bodies is because of their weight. Although it is a tricky perception, weight loss is a good way to reduce embarrassment and loss of self-esteem. An excellent way to monitor your weight loss is to keep track of your body mass index (BMI). Your general doctor can give you advice if you are doing well with your body shape.
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind
A healthy body always follows a healthy mind. If you love exercising, you’ll also enjoy how your mind becomes clear of toxic negative thoughts. Instead of feeling depressed or anxious, you can try jogging for 15 to 30 minutes to encourage oxygen intake.
Exercise Is Available for Everyone
Anyone can try exercising since there are exercises that range to light, moderate, and vigorous levels. Even people with chronic conditions are still recommended to do physical routines to prevent muscle, joint, and body pain.
