The Harm of Beach Body Goals & “Hot Girl Summer” to Women’s Confidence
Body Image Beyond the Beach
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Amidst the looming summer heat, the pursuit of a ‘Hot Girl Summer’ can inadvertently scorch women’s self-confidence.
Somewhere between the obsession with achieving the ultimate beach body and Megan Thee Stallion releasing ‘Hot Girl Summer’ in 2019, wires were crossed within the messages promoted by media regarding our bodies.
The ‘Hot Girl Summer’ trend was intended as an encouragement for women to have fun, be confident, and unapologetically themselves all while looking their best.
However, such intentions have been tarnished and convoluted by the ongoing pressures from media and society for us to maintain the perfect appearance.
These trends negatively impact the self-esteem of many women, as the notion of the unattainable “perfect body” continues to permeate society.
The warmth of summer can be embraced without the heat of societal expectations.
‘Hot Girl Summer’ and the quest for the ultimate “beach body” are profoundly reshaping women’s confidence. These concerns should be addressed as often as we’re forced to see such portrayals on our screens and magazine covers.
Media & Cultural Influences
With Summer season on the horizon, social media, television shows, commercials, and magazines bombard the public with images of tanned, toned bodies. Despite the progression in society towards self-acceptance, models and celebrities are often featured adhering to this specific beauty standard.
Most often, the media promotes extreme exercise, dangerous supplements, crash diets, and detoxes as methods of achieving the “perfect” summer body. Predictably, unhealthy behaviors and challenges related to body dissatisfaction can and have occurred as a result of these advertisements.
Consequently, 31% of teenagers & 35% of adults report feelings of shame or depression surrounding perceptions of their own bodies.
Comparison culture is also preserved through the constant exposure to images of seemingly perfect, fit, and thin women. Feelings of inadequacy can easily stem from us frequently comparing ourselves to such media representations, which ultimately poorly impacts body image.
Social media only amplifies these trends as feeds typically highlight products, people, pictures & commentary extending such stereotypes.
An impossible and idealized version of “the beautiful woman” is portrayed by the media. From flawless skin to unrealistically slim figures, self-criticism and insecurity about one’s own appearance are the inevitable result.
Psychological Implications for Women
Striving to reach “beach body goals” can leave individuals who don’t meet these standards feeling self-conscious. Women targeted by this harmful narrative also typically find themselves on the receiving end of some form of body shaming.
It’s not uncommon for such struggles to lead to low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. In some cases, these challenges can also translate into eating disorders or body dysmorphia.
Recent data confirms that 15% of women will face an eating disorder by age 50 & only 27% of these women will receive treatment.
The pressure for us women to conform to societal norms is immense, and during the warmer months of the year, this truth is doubly unwelcome. Flawless, slim, and toned are perpetuated as some of the few acceptable features of a desirable female form.
However, there are rarely considerations given to the very human circumstances that make these expectations unreachable for many of us. There’s even less consideration given to the effects these messages have on women’s mental health.
The Body Positivity Movement
The true body positivity movement challenges harmful beauty standards, as inclusivity, acceptance, self-love, and appreciation for all bodies is encouraged.
Instead of focusing on achieving an arbitrary ideal of beauty, more women should place attention on their self-care. Unrealistic goals portrayed by air-brushed images and filters should be rejected, and physical and mental well-being prioritized.
A True Healthy Summer
The roots of ‘Hot Girl Summer’ and the “beach body” promoted healthy choices and directives, which should be reclaimed after being overshadowed by the superficial natures of society. A healthy summer experience involves much more than looking good, it’s about feeling good physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Seek out physical activities you enjoy, not what’s forced upon you by the media. Whether it’s dance, swimming, yoga, hiking, or otherwise, ensure your movement is enjoyable, not punitive.
Despite the ongoing popularity of crash dieting and ingesting questionable supplements to achieve weight loss, women should incorporate a variety of foods into the nourishment we provide our bodies. Restricted eating patterns and extreme diets can cause long-term damage to the body and are rarely comfortably maintained.
In the name of weight loss, 35–60% of adolescent girls consume diet pills, crash diet, or induce vomiting & these issues commonly continue into adulthood.
Reclaiming Messages To Women
While well-meaning, even concepts such as ‘Hot Girl Summer’ can be misconstrued and have detrimental implications, due to the constant wave of criticism we women face from media and society daily. Pursuing the ideal summer body as defined by most of society, solely focuses on aesthetics, but health should be the priority.
Every body is unique & healthy female bodies come in various shapes & sizes.
A woman’s self-esteem is a reflection of her perception of her own worth, competence, and value. It has the power to influence relationships, mental health, and quality of life. On that account, we must understand that at the end of the day, beauty is subjective and the “perfect body” doesn’t exist.
Regardless of shape or size, a woman’s “beach body” needs to be redefined as one that feels healthy and strong, thus evoking confidence.
Better yet, let’s care for & embrace our whole selves every season.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only & should not replace the personalized professional medical advice of your healthcare provider.
Resources:
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5803/cmselect/cmhealth/114/report.html
