Body image is a concept that never seems to go away, no matter how far we progress. It seems to be human nature to judge people on the way they look, thus creating an atmosphere of negativity and influencing the feelings of others.
I think no matter what, we are always going to pay attention to our own body image, but it’s time that we learn to do so in a more positive manner. Younger generations find themselves on the internet more often these days, paying attention to the way celebrities or models look, and so they try to mimic this as they are conditioned to think that bodies we see on television or online are normal and that we all need to look the same.
The only reason that you should be paying attention to body image, is when you try to look at yourself in a better light. We need to learn to be more kind and accepting of ourselves so that we can stay healthy and happy. Sure, it’s not easy to simply say ‘I’m happy with the way I look’ – but there are little things we can do that will help us become more kind to ourselves.
Start by surrounding yourself with friends and family who make you feel good about yourself. In high school, teenagers strive to be friends with the popular kids, even if that means feeling bad about themselves and changing their appearances to ‘fit in’. It’s important to constantly surround yourselves with people who don’t put you down simply because of the way you look. There will always be someone who will tell you that you’re either too skinny or too chubby – and these are the people you need to stay away from.
The 2000s were (and still is) full of negativity around weight. There is a certain idea that girls especially needed to be skinny or look like models in order to please everyone around them. As a result, younger kids started starving themselves in order to lose weight. Eating disorders started rising, almost like a new trend, and people found themselves being diagnosed with disorders such as bulimia, anorexia and BDD (body dysmorphic disorder). Neurology hospital in Dubai and around the world constantly see cases of people damaging their bodies because the internet told them to.
These life-threatening disorders can be prevented. Limit the content that you consume. Don’t indulge in TV shows that only promote unhealthy diets in order to look a certain way. Restrict what you engage with on social media. The internet is no stranger to bullies who will tell you that your body isn’t perfect. The fact is, there isn’t a ‘perfect’ body. When you look at body image, the only body that you need to pay attention to, is yours.
Self-care is important when it comes to body image. You need to do things that make you feel good about yourself. Whether it’s a face mask, fancy body lotion or fuzzy socks – if it makes you happy and good about your body, then, by all means, keep indulging! When you practice self-care enough, it becomes a natural instinct to take care of your body in your favorite ways and can help you associate your body with positive emotions. When you have good habits that make you feel good physically, you start to look at your body in kinder ways.
With the internet being so easily accessible, it can be hard to escape negativity around weight and body types. Every social media platform has a useful feature – the unfollow button. Removing this negativity from your life can help you be kinder to yourself. Follow profiles that advocate for body positivity, no matter what size you are. If you struggle to be positive about yourself, find others who can help you. Find voices that will lift you up, no matter how you look.
So should you pay attention to body image in 2020 or in the future? Yes. But practice doing so in a way that is positive – not in ways that make you tear yourself down just to fit unrealistic and unhealthy standards. Pay attention to loving your body and yourself for who you are.
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