The perception of ourselves is an integral part of our daily lives. We wake up to head for work, shower, wear fresh, clean clothes, and then look in the mirror to groom ourselves and ensure we are presentable. While glancing in the mirror, you may see yourself and focus on specific aspects of your body, be it weight, height, shape, or size of a certain body part, and think that you are either proud of it or reluctant to show it to the world. This perception of one’s physical appearance is called body image.
However, body image is not just limited to physical attributes but also emotional responses to physical attributes. Body image is an important part of us as it assists in moulding our mental health and overall well-being. It is further divided into two parts: positive and negative. Positive body image implies the acceptance and satisfaction of oneself towards one’s body. On the contrary, negative body image means the person is unhappy with what they have and is willing to be different.
Understanding the interplay between body image and mental health will help us develop better techniques to promote holistic well-being. This article will explore this relationship and discuss several aspects that influence this dynamic.
Understanding Body Image
Understanding body image is essential because it helps us identify how we perceive ourselves and how this impacts our mental health. Body image refers to our thoughts and feelings about our physical appearance when we look at a mirror or reflect on ourselves. This perception can be affected by societal standards, media, and subjective or personal experiences.
As mentioned above, body image can be positive or negative. Positive body image is characterised by the appreciation of one’s own body. The physical attributes are immaterial here. This leads to the person feeling more positive, supporting his/her mental health. On the contrary, negative body image is characterised by dissatisfaction with one’s body and appearance. The person might compare themselves with others or feel embarrassed or uncomfortable with their body. This leads to a negative connotation of oneself. Ultimately, this hampers the well-being of the individual and further deteriorates mental health.
People may struggle with their body image, leading to diverse emotional responses that can directly or indirectly impact mental health. What we need to understand is that body image is not solely dependent on physical appearance but also on the emotional responses given to that. People with a positive body image tend to experience better self-esteem and resilience. At the same time, people having negative perceptions may think the contrary, which can directly impact their mental health. So, understanding body image has to be done as a whole, and the focus should not only be on a single aspect.
Factors Influencing Body Image
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Media Influence
In today’s world, body image is decided primarily based on the ideals prevailing in different media forms, mainly social media. Young teenagers, children, and adults spend much time on social media. It can potentially expose them to countless photos, and each photo can impact them differently. People come across different photos of celebrities or fitness models, which leads them to think if they can also attain a similar body.
However, this may not be possible for everyone. The inability to reach this superficial goal may lead to dissatisfaction, contributing to a person’s negative perception of their body.
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Friends and Family Dynamic
In an individual’s lifetime, they may encounter several people who stay with them as friends. However, certain people have been with them since birth, or, in other words, their family. We spend a significant amount of time with them. This is why the influence of family and friends is crucial in developing body image.
We stay between our family at a crucial stage of development, i.e., adolescence. It is a susceptible age as the experiences we gain here can potentially affect us for our entire lifetime. So, if negative comments are made towards the body, we believe something is wrong and requires correction. Due to this, a person is never happy and often tries unconventional methods to rectify the ‘called-out’ errors. This leads to the person being disturbed and unhappy, leading to unstable mental health.
A similar experience happens among friends as well. So, one needs to be mindful while around peers to avoid giving any sort of lifelong trauma to the other person.
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Personal Experiences and Psychological Factors
A person experiences several things throughout his life. This includes health issues, trauma, or any other life-changing events. Self-esteem, perfectionism, and mental health conditions come under psychological factors, and this also impacts an individual. It is a well-established fact that higher levels of unacceptance towards one’s body are linked to poor mental health outcomes and unhealthy behaviours. This ultimately happens because of the personal experiences of an individual.
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Consequences of Negative Body Image
Having a negative body image is detrimental, as it is known to be associated with a host of mental health disorders. People who negatively perceive their bodies tend to develop depression or anxiety. They might suffer from low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy.
This may also increase to the extent of the development of eating disorders. It can range from either binge eating or extreme dieting, depending on the goal they want to achieve. In addition to this, they may withdraw themselves from social situations for fear of judgment or embarrassment. This accelerates the feeling of isolation and loneliness.
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Positive Body Image and Mental Health
Once a person develops a positive body image, it is also linked to several health benefits. People who have a positive body image don’t suffer from anxiety, depression, or any other kind of disorder. They perceive society and the environment around them in an uplifting manner. Accepting one’s own body leads to the development of healthy relationships around oneself. People with a positive body image tend to engage more and support others like they do for themselves.
A positive body image promotes active social behaviour, ultimately enhancing mental health and promoting a balanced lifestyle.
Interventions and Strategies for Improvement
We know the impact of body image on our daily lives. So, if someone develops a negative image or is in the process of developing one, timely intervention can help. Such interventions often include therapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is renowned for improving self-esteem.
Further, it is important to educate people regarding body positivity. This will help reduce the stigma associated with diverse body types. Promoting self-compassion and proper media usage can also help individuals have a healthy self-image.
While it is essential for us to be fit and healthy, certain fitness levels exist. One cannot attain any level of fitness. There are certain factors behind it. So, even if you want to achieve a certain fitness level, always research it. Always know your body type, the exercise needed, and the diet to follow. This will help you reach your goals more safely and efficiently.
