Body image perception is influenced by many factors, both internal and external. One of the major external sources of body image perception is all that pops up on the Media. Be it print media or electronic media, the propagation of ideal body shapes and sizes is all over the place! This is known to affect self-perception across people of all age groups and genders; and emerges as a major factor in issues like eating disorders, self-esteem, stress and lifestyle based conflicts.
‘Size Zero’, ‘Lean is in’… blahblahblah! Every morning, when you look into the mirror, do you smile at yourself? Do you feel happy to see yourself? Do you admire yourself? Or you have stuck a picture of your ideal actress on your almirah and tell yourself, I wish I was like THAT actress, “Oh My God! She is so pretty and so slim and so fair. I must starve to death to get that body.”
OK! HOLD ON! STOPP! Yes, you. You’re Beautiful.
Media must have trapped you into believing so many things about your body and perception of it that need not be true. They are far from the truth. That model’s body isn’t as perfect as it appears. It undergoes layers and layers of editing to make it appear so flawless! The media happily serves false body images in various ways like through movies, videos, advertisements for slimming products, etc. Majorly, to sell their products more and more.
The aim is to make you believe you are not slim enough, not fair enough, not muscular enough, not full enough, and certainly not human enough! Since these ideal body images are not really realistic and do not respect the diverse forms and sizes human bodies have been sculpted into. The aim is to create a sense of conflict in your psyche and to create the discomfort that would eventually make you buy all that they want you to.
Another way of distortion of body image which sets unrealistic expectations is pornographic videos. These videos are often shot from certain angles to make organs look big in perspective. Sometimes even fabricated parts are used to make things appear larger than life. Yes! Literally larger than life. So, if you have been comparing yourself and your partner based on this fallacy, you need a reality check.
The choice is yours. Accept yourself and know that you are unique, and certainly very beautiful in your own way. Get to know about the truth behind these body images, how realistic and healthy they are before you put yourself down and say unhealthy things to yourself.
Here is an eye-opening video of how a model looks in reality and how she looks after getting photoshopped! Shocked enough? Glad! Now go look into the mirror and tell yourself you are beautiful and worth every good thing on this planet and beyond.
