Beyond the Mirror: Cultivating Positive Body Image and Self-Esteem

 Body image is the mental picture you have of your own body and how you see yourself when you look in a mirror. Self-esteem is how you value and respect yourself as a person. Self-esteem affects how you care for yourself, emotionally, spiritually and physically.

These two factors directly influence each other. When you have a healthy body image, you will feel comfortable. When a child is not confident with the size and shape of her body, it leads to other problems like physical and mental disorders.

Adolescents are in the process of identifying and understanding themselves. It involves the process of creating an identity for themselves. Several factors influence how an adolescent regards his/her body; family environment, television, movies, ads, changing fashion trends etc.

Significance of the Problem.

In the present times, self-esteem is highly dependent on the verdict of social media and trends in the fashion industry. Adolescents believe that what they see through all these media is ideal. A body which is different from the ideal type leads to low self-esteem. This leads them to take extreme measures like diet, workouts and medications that could harm the body it also takes away their interest in academics and extracurricular activities.

Possible causes/reasons

• Social media influence Today, social media plays a critical role with adolescents seeking validation from their friends through likes for their photos. They have a body type which is ideal and having a body different from this may lead to low self-esteem

• Family influence - Teasing or negative comments from family members about an adolescent's body such as fat, short, thin, or ugly develop a negative body image and low self-esteem

• School bullying - Being bullied at school for their body size or shape.

•Peer group - dynamic and peer pressure to look perfect and fit in.

• Having a perfectionist attitude -They always look at their images or look for any imperfections.

• Celebrity worship - being obsessed with the life and style of a celebrity leads them to think that without the body type of that celebrity, they are not fit.

Role of parents and teachers 

Parents need to talk to their children about the changes in the body during adolescence and reassure them that they can speak to them about their concerns regarding physical changes.

Parents and teachers should help them by ensuring treatment if required.

•Teachers should look after students in school. Ensure that they are not subjected to bullying.

• Help them with the things they like

Conclusion

Our body is our precious possession. Everybody is different. Body size, shape or colour does not determine your potential. We need to love ourselves. Keep your mind away from unwanted thoughts and develop a positive body image. Loving yourself matters.

Reference

www.mayoclinic.com 

ncbi.mlm.nih.gov

kidshealth.org