Value Your Body
GiphyEveryone is born with their own unique features, which also explains why we are all different. Knowing what makes you happy and the parts about yourself that you are proud of, is what should continue to be valued. Carrying yourself with pride and dignity can build great self-esteem that no one can diminish. Be appreciate with what your momma gave you!
Beauty Is More Than What Is Seen
A great personality and character is what is truly attractive. You can spend money to change your looks and modify your body, but you can't fake attitude. Your mind is more meaningful than appearance.
Ignore The Media's Negative Steriotypes
The media often provides problematic views towards an individual's self-perception of themselves. A majority of people can never look like the images portrayed in advertisements. The constant exposure to the media atmosphere can destroy someone's mental health and can cause physical issues, including eating disorders. Don't put yourself in that world because the "perfect body" shown is not accurate at all. Advertisements are edited to make people look a certain way, so why even compare yourself when it's not even real?
Be Aware of the Negatives
Knowing that most of the media is portraying false body images to make someone start a new diet, exercise, or to make someone feel bad about themselves is what the media is out to do. Be stronger than the haters. People struggle more to be someone they are not, so be proud of yourself and EMBRACE who YOU are.
Know The Facts
Did you know that the average size of a woman in America is 16? So why does society almost never use models even half the average size? This makes women believe that they are too large when in reality, women who are abnormally skinny can often be the ones with worse health issues. Also, women that are size 00-2 struggle everyday to maintain their "small" look. They stop eating and practically lose their social life to do everything in their power to look "perfect". The standard that they hold these models or actors to is not even attainable.
Take Action
Negative body image is a phenomenon that has been going on for many years now and only has progressively gotten much worse. We need to be informed on how to solve the problem and how to take action. Thinking of a long-term strategy, like informing advertisers that we object to false body image ads and limiting our exposure to media that don't relate to one's self, can help. Like I explained earlier, being aware of the effects that this stereotype can have on society and the steps to take if yourself or others feel attacked about how you look, should be taken into account. Lastly, there are experts that can help with body image concerns, like "Better-help", which leads you to a therapist online to talk about your feelings with. Counseling is another option which can help extremely with stress management, coping skills, anxiety and depression, trauma, eating disorders, and body image. Society needs to be aware of the big issue going on America and all the possible ideas that can make everyone feel accepted with how they look.
The impact of media towards body image is a hidden issue that has been happening for years now and is definitely being overlooked, both with males and females. The media has a negative impact on society and people's individual body image. Still to this day, when I go through social media or see TV shows with models, I feel terrible that I don't have that body or even the "flawless" skin. I have even complained to my friends and family that I wished I was born with a smaller figure, so I didn't have to be cautious of what I eat. But as I have grown up, I have become more accepting of myself and realized that everyone is perfect in their own way. But this is not the same for all that struggle with their body image. Some people are more impacted than others, but I believe that this is a problem that needs to change fast because it is only getting worse.
