Eating disorders (ED), depression, body dysmorphia… The tyranny of beauty conveyed to us by the media affects mental health in many ways. We explain it in this article.
100 years ago, women who were considered most attractive were those with pale skin and generous breasts and hips. Today, that perception has changed. Thinness and perfection that borders on the impossible are preferred. So much so that the canons of beauty in mental health constitute a problematic variable that health organizations frequently warn about.
What’s more, the cultural messages you receive on a daily basis condition the way you see yourself . You may not be aware of it, but every image you receive from social media , movies or television invites you to engage in an exercise of comparison. And this dynamic is very damaging, especially for the younger population. Let’s reflect on this with this reading.
Beauty is a short-lived tyranny.
~ Socrates ~
How beauty standards influence mental health
There is one thing you will undoubtedly agree with. No one comes into this world hating their body , it is society that teaches you to do so . Therefore, there is something that we are missing globally, including in the family and educational spheres. The tyranny of beauty is that archetype that instills unattainable standards that only cause suffering.
There is also a fact that is frequently seen in clinical practice. Teenage girls are increasingly presenting eating disorders (ED) . A study published in BMC Women’s Health shows that girls between 12 and 17 years old have more mental health problems associated with this reality. We describe these effects below.
1. Rejection of body image
“Why don’t I look like that model in the photo?” Many people can’t help but compare themselves to the faces and bodies they see every day in the media. When they do, their eyes only see countless flaws. This disdain for personal self-image ends up being accompanied by feelings of shame and even hatred .
Research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health indicates that exposure to social media increases the development of disorders such as body dysmorphia. These are clinical realities of great impact that always stem from that dislike of the physical packaging, of what one is. If you are wondering what to do about it, we will detail it for you.
What can you do?
Developing a positive body image is an exercise that should be cultivated from childhood . In this regard, the role of parents is key. Likewise, the environment, such as friends and even partners, can reinforce or destroy the vision you have of your own physical image. To develop a more positive vision, the following dimensions will help you:
- Self-acceptance : Accept your body as it is right now. Don’t judge it and value all you can do with it. Recognize that each of us is different and there is no single standard of beauty. Embrace your imperfections as part of what makes you unique and valuable.
- Surround yourself with positive people: have friends around you who are not obsessed with their appearance. Try to have people around you who support you, encourage you, and value you for who you are, beyond your physical appearance. Avoid uncomfortable people who criticize you or make you feel insecure.
- Avoid comparing yourself to others: social media is a mirror where you analyze yourself daily by comparing yourself to other bodies. However, keep one thing in mind: these idealized photos are not always real and, in addition, they damage your self-image . Try to follow accounts that promote body diversity, as well as healthy lifestyle habits.
2. Self-esteem problems
You will agree that we live in a society where a person’s worth is measured by their physical image and even by the likes they receive .
Beauty standards in mental health destroy the fabric of self-esteem, and this opens the door for psychological problems. An article published by Computers in Human Behavior echoes this reality and offers an important piece of information.
On social media, users often post idealized or retouched photos with filters. The need to receive positive interaction in the digital world is key to nurturing self-concept and self-esteem . Such an inadvisable dynamic particularly affects girls.
What can you do?
Whether you need to boost your self-esteem or you have teenagers at home who suffer from this problem, there are a number of guidelines that can help you. Keep in mind that if these feelings of inferiority and devaluation accompany you for a long time, your psychological well-being can be affected .
- You are more than your physical appearance: reinforce your self-esteem with other sources such as your worth, abilities, triumphs, etc. Learn to love yourself beyond what your mirror reflects every day.
- Practice body neutrality : appreciate everything you can do with your body: work, dance, walk, hug, etc. Stop treating it badly for not being like those impossible ideals you see in the media.
- Look for real reinforcements beyond social media: in daily life there are many scenarios that can allow you to appreciate your worth, how special you are and everything you are capable of achieving. Start new practices, such as sports, courses, etc.
- Challenge society and dare to be different: remember that we live in a world that wants us to be the same, with the same measurements, faces, personalities… Don’t dissolve into the masses. True beauty lies in being unique, in breaking the mould.
Body dissatisfaction due to beauty standards is more common in women. In particular, girls and adolescents are the ones who develop more mental health problems such as eating disorders (ED), due to the social comparison they are exposed to on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
3. Beauty standards and psychological disorders
The influence of beauty standards on mental health is immense and even devastating . Surely, at some point in your life, you realized that you did not fit into those standards. And in order to achieve this, you decided to make certain changes. Some people start a diet to lose weight, others exercise, and some end up with pathological behaviors.
An article in PLOS Global Public Health highlights that social comparison and the internalization of the thin ideal increase the risk of suffering from eating disorders (ED). The cult of the body and its aesthetic value, biased by consumer society, brings with it depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia and even suicidal thoughts . These are serious realities.
What can you do?
In recent years, a term has emerged that you might like to know. We call “proactive resistance” the ability to confront the influence of a harmful culture that makes you hate your image . In fact, a paper published in Body Image raises the need to know how to build a positive, strong and valid body self-image.
Now, since the way beauty standards affect mental health can be very pathological, we have a suggestion for you. Transform your beliefs and get involved in that resilient perspective that is critical to the fashion industry . Take note of how to start this transformation:
- The most important thing in this life is not to be attractive, it is to be okay with yourself.
- Apply critical thinking every time you expose yourself to social media and advertising .
- Keep in mind that you live in a consumer society that seeks to manipulate your perceptions.
- You don’t have to love every part of your physical appearance, just accept yourself as you are.
- Take care of yourself with the sole purpose of having a healthy body, not to suffer for not being like others.
- Your body should serve you to enjoy and be useful, not to be criticized for its perfections or imperfections.
The true beauty of the human being goes beyond the skin
You’ve probably heard a lot about how beauty is more than just appearances. However, you’ve been taught since childhood that physical appearance matters and that you have to be attractive to be socially successful. Now, it’s time to deconstruct all the distorted narratives regarding normative bodies .
When it comes to physical appearance, there should be no such thing as this last label. Bodies, like faces, are diverse, unique and beautiful in each of their particularities. What’s more, always remember that appearances can be deceiving and that, often, the most beautiful people are not those who get the most likes on social media, they are those who dare to be authentic. That is the key.