How to be body positive in today’s times
Day after day, we see pictures of skinny models posing in advertisements on the television and in magazines, showing off their svelte figure wrapped up in trendy apparel. We are presented with that image so often that it is ingrained in our minds that their body figure is the one which we all have to strive to attain, no matter what. On the other hand, overweight characters on television shows or movies are portrayed as a part of running ‘fat’ jokes, involving mockery and humiliation based on their body size.
Several studies have proved that this conventional notion on beauty perpetuated by the society can lead to issues among viewers such as low self-esteem, eating disorders and problems linked with mental health like depression. Criticizing ourselves or others based on features of physical appearances, i.e., body shaming, leads to a vicious cycle of disapproval and judgement. There is always constant pressure from around us to want to change our figure, to care about getting slimmer and skinnier; otherwise, risk being the receiving end of disparaging comments about your body.
This pressure can manifest in many different ways such as comparing yourself with another person in terms of physical features, panning another person’s appearance without their knowledge, or just doing it upfront. In the end, it just leads to more shame and unwanted comparison, causing friction between people.
Sometimes, such comments are exchanged among people as a form of defensive reasoning about the current problems in their life, rather than going in depth about the various emotional issues that need to be confronted. Opening up about them will lead us to be more vulnerable and therefore it feels easier to bury those feelings underneath the remarks about your physical look. Now, we find it difficult to identify our shortcomings without using body shaming comments, which we have built in as one of our go-to responses for our failings.
Rather than escalating this situation by continuing to think in terms of looks, practice recognizing why we get upset at certain scenarios in our life. For example, thinking that the reason you are being treated rudely by your friend is because of your appearance and struggling with keeping up with that façade rather than confronting them about what exactly is the problem, will just prolong the situation. Exercising your mind to think about it and eventually verbalizing it will benefit your mental health in the long run.
Changing your media outlook and social presence to include more body positive people will encourage you to not only prevent from letting the pressure of stereotypical beauty notions overcome you but to also accept you for what you are. We are all different, and spending time around people who celebrate the same will help you view yourself more optimistically. This can be particularly valuable in case someone is trying to overcome their internal demons in the form of mental health and eating disorders like anxiety, depression, anorexia, etc.
As you become increasingly aware about the grave consequences of body shaming, it is your responsibility to stop the propagation of such media and statements around you. Discuss with people when you come across such comments in general discussions and help them see how insensitive it can be, not only for you but for themselves as well.
In the end, it is your choices that define your life. Pick things you like and are healthy mentally and physically. Going for a run, having a good night’s sleep, and maintaining a balanced diet can help rejuvenate you physically. A new hairstyle or a chic top might catch your eye, which might feel out of your comfort zone due to the past body shaming remarks targeted at you, but now you can feel confident about it. Whatever it is, do whatever that makes you you and celebrate it every day.
