BODY SHAMING- How does it have a profound impact on mental health? A person who is body-shamed suffers a lot of mental health problems in terms of self-rejection, negative self-evaluation, loss of confidence in themselves and it goes on and on.
Do you wonder how often we are told by others to change our appearance to come off as “desirable”? If you take a look around, you’d notice how much we are consumed with the unrealistic idea of perfectionism and beauty standards of our time.
Social media gloriously channelizes how you should be perfect and flawless so as to be popular and acceptable in today’s world. The advertisements, as well, boast how fit bodies, bright and unblemished skin would gain you your dream job and apparently, the guy or girl of your dreams.
A plethora of fashion and beauty gurus and divas yelp tips and remedies on how to achieve an “ideal” body in a few days, lose weight and appear slimmer instantly, and hide our “flaws” without actually knowing anything about us and our appearance.
We all have been there and felt the need to change ourselves just to fit into the “so-called” notion of perfect appearance and good looks. And if we don’t try, we stress ourselves and worry about falling prey to someone’s body-shaming comments and bad-mouthing us.
Before we get into what actually body-shaming means and the ways to overcome the same, we should first understand the concept of body image.
Twigging the BODY IMAGE
“Body image” is described as how we perceive and feel about our bodies. Our impressions about our bodies can have an impact on us throughout our lives, affecting our mental health and well-being.
Having body image concerns is a quotidian experience and is not a mental health problem by itself; nonetheless, it can pose a risk factor for the problems related to mental health.
What is BODY SHAMING?
‘Body-Shaming’ – these two words by themselves say a lot about their intent. It is discrimination, inappropriate statements, or negative judgments related to a person’s appearance, weight, body type, and/or size.
It manifests in the below-mentioned ways:
- Criticizing and detesting our own appearance and looks, through a judgment or comparison to another person or set notion ; (i.e.: “I’m so thin and lean than she is”, “I should lose some weight for getting a zero-figure like vogue models”)
- Criticizing others’ appearance and looks in front of them; (i.e.: Small and skinny clothes are not meant for heavy bodies like yours”.
- Criticizing others’ appearance and without their knowledge; (i.e.: “With that dark skin tone, she’d never find a man”).
No matter how the shaming manifests, it oftentimes leads to comparison and embarrassment, perpetuating the idea that people should be judged mainly for their physical features.
Research and Statistics
Research has showcased that higher body dissatisfaction is closely linked with a poor quality of life, and the risk of developing psychological distress and unhealthy eating and sleeping disorders.
- A survey conducted by the department of mental health and behavioral sciences, Fortis Healthcare, among 1,244 women aged between 15 to 45 years across eight Indian cities revealed that 47.5% of women reported having experienced body shaming at their school or workplace, and in 32.5% of the cases it was their close friend who made negative remarks.
- Approximately 91% of women are unhappy with their bodies and resort to dieting to achieve their ideal body shape. Unfortunately, only 5% of women naturally possess the body type often portrayed by Americans in the media.
- In a survey, more than 40% of women and about 20% of men agreed they would consider cosmetic surgery in the future. The statistics remain relatively constant across gender, age, marital status, and race
- An online survey conducted by the Mental Health Foundation on 4,505 UK adults and 1,118 teenagers (aged 13-18), highlighted that 20% of the population felt shame, 34% felt down or low and 19% felt disgusted because of their body image.
- Around 35% of the population felt anxious and depressed, while 13% experienced suicidal thoughts because of the concerns about their body image.
- 58% of college-aged girls feel pressured to be a certain weight.
The statistics are rather disturbing, showing body-image and body shaming issues run way deeper than what we imagine.
BODY SHAMING- How does it have a profound impact on mental health?
- Our very own folks- It wouldn’t be surprising if we say that the first body-shaming experience of anybody would have been abashed by their own family, friends, and peers; believing that shaming would, in turn, encourage the person in taking better care and staying fit.
- Media- Exposure to photoshopped and airbrushed images exhibiting perfect and flawless bodies on social media. Advertisements, sitcoms, and movies, oftentimes, use the characters’ body weight and looks like the basis for building humorous content.
- Societal standards- Pressure to look a certain way to match the societal standards of unrealistic body type and goals.
- Culture- Different cultures practiced across the globe have their own preferences of the ideal body and beauty goals.
- Gender and Sexuality- People are expected to have an ideal appearance and body type in accordance with the gender and sexuality that they belong to.
- Health conditions- Long term illness and health conditions can also lead to body labeling and name-calling.
This, in a nutshell, connotes what body-shaming is and how it is everywhere around us; haunting people of all ages, sizes, genders, colors, cultures, races, into becoming perfect and desirable in others’ eyes.
Body-shaming can lead to a vicious cycle of judgment, loathe, and humiliation. This could result in:
- Lowering of self-esteem and confidence
- Isolating self from others
- Loss of concentration
- Indulging in substance intoxication
The dreadful risks that come down this path, causing psychological harm, give rise to-
- Suicidal thoughts and inflicting self-harm
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Trauma
- Depression
- Feeding-eating disorders
- Sleep-wake disorders
Body image keeps on changing throughout life. It is directly related to self-esteem and lifestyle choice; hence, shaming the body is wrong and needs to stop as it could have a severe impact on physical as well as mental health. Essential and effective initiatives should be taken so as to build and promote a positive attitude, support good mental health, and wellbeing concerning our bodies.
Ways to combat body shaming
There are many challenges that come in the way of dealing and healing with the body-shaming before one feels compassion, acceptance, and love for their body.
It is of utmost importance to be more aware of effective regulation of how body image is portrayed and bring about a positive attitude toward diverse body sizes and styles.
Below listed are some ways that would help in overcoming body shaming, once and for all.
- Ask for help
If your body image is a significant cause of stress, or if you’re being bullied about how your body looks, consider talking to a friend, a trusted acquaintance, or a health professional. Seek counseling and therapy if needed.
- Start with home
At home, parents and guardians can bring into play positive behavior and attitude around and about body image.
- Practice a healthy lifestyle
One should indulge in a healthy lifestyle by having proper food and sleeping habits and exercising regularly. Practicing mindfulness and meditation would help in thriving good health.
- Keep a tab on your social media
Pay attention to the people and accounts you’re following on social media and be mindful of how you feel about your own body and appearance when you look at them.
- Think before you speak
Be aware of the ways in which you speak and describe your own and other people’s bodies in casual conversations. Avoid belittling and commenting negatively about self or others’ appearances and living.
- Do what you love
Indulge yourself in activities that make you feel active, beautiful, and confident about your body.
- Positive reading
Divulge yourself in self-help books and content that boosts up confidence and positivity in you about your body.
- Practice thanking your body
Think about what your body does for you, instead of what you wish it did for you. Be grateful and thank your body for all that it does. It may be as simple as listing out 3 reasons or qualities that you appreciate in and about your body.
The above listed are small yet beneficial steps that could help in eradicating the shaming that persists around and about the body. Body satisfaction and appreciation are associated with better overall well being and flourishing mental health.
Conclusion
Understanding our own self and body, and adopting body positivity would help in putting an end to body shaming as well as the stereotype that goes along with it.
What we fail to understand is that self-worth isn’t based on appearance and looks. We can’t encourage people to take care of their bodies by telling them to detest it. A person with a healthy and fit body, mind and, soul should be portrayed as “ideal” and that, in a true sense, should be depicted as a real and perfect image of beauty.
Be proud of who you are, and not ashamed of how others see you!
References
- http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/fat-shaming-and-body-shaming.html
- https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/body-image-report/exec-summary
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5981930/
- Valentina, J. (2020, February 02). Body shaming is more dangerous than you think. The Jakarta Post, Retrieved from https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2020/02/02/body-shaming-is-more-dangerous-than-you-think.
Please visit our website to read more related blogs!
