Time to love your body

Many studies over the years have time and again proved that majority women hate their body. In one of the largest surveys when 10,500 women were questioned as a part of The Dove Global Beauty and Confidence Report and it was found that only 40% of Indian were confident of their body.

It was also reported that 65% girls base their decisions on important activities, such as engaging with friends and family and participating in activities outside of the house based on how they feel about their looks.

As if that wasn’t enough, there is an increased objectification, especially on social media when women’s physical beauty gets more attention that the achievements. The prescribed tags about judging the beauty of women have been mounting pressure physically and emotionally on women.

The pressure on what constitutes appealing looks and the perfect size of the body is mostly influenced by media. 71% of Indian girls think that very few women and girls look like the women and girls shown in adverts, movies and television, yet they give into the pressure. Mrs Worldwide India 2018, Rumana Sinha Sehgal shares that the beauty of women lies with the inner qualities that allow her to stand tall and break the stereotypes.

“In my experience of being part of beauty pageants, I never underwent any emotional trauma with regards to my physical appearance. It is the kind of attitude, intellectual thinking, effective work, nature and other standard qualities of personality development that matter and not the physique.”

She adds, “Do not worry about the height, skin tone, hair length, body growth, etc; and only focus on how to build inner qualities and nurture innate skills that adds value and make women confident and beautiful.”

“Every woman undergoes hormonal changes over the time. It is when a woman begins to presume that she is losing her shape and lacks in something, and the feeling persists, and grows to serious levels, and the feeling dominates - it is this kind of fear that cannot be ignored for long,” said Mayank Sharma Patel, Mrs India Pride of Nation 2017.

On the hazardous side, Dr Veeraja, Psychologist, says, “There are instances of people who have gone into depression over eating less and curbing their wishes, to attain zero size or that perceived perfection.”

“Love your body, maintain healthy mind free from physical, emotional and social stress that boosts your intellectual skills and helps you lead a healthy life. This is the oldest sutra that makes elderly people stay healthy even today,” she states.

Improve your body image

Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Nobody’s perfect
Remember that no one is 100% flawless. Know that perfection is more of an idea than a reality. Never try to be perfect this may let you down.

Appreciate your own beauty
Always like/love yourself. When you’re feeling bad about yourself, think about your positive attributes.

Boost your own confidence
Confidence is going to come from within you. It’s nice to have reassurance from others that you look good, but you should feel good from within.

Take care of yourself
Exercise regularly and eat healthy. Always focus on the internal benefits of a healthy lifestyle rather than the external ones.

Avoid being preoccupied by social media
Many social media uses is linked to low self-esteem. Try not to get too caught up in it. Make a conscious effort to go on your social media apps less.

By Sushma Nagaraju