Content Creator: Shekinah Glory Peter Content Editor: Safa Sajith Designer: Elsa Aziz I knew I had a body, I knew I had a face
I never thought much about it Went about my days like everything was okay Then I heard the opinions, I felt the judgement. I saw images on screens I saw that none of them looked like me None of them had my rolls, stretch marks, or dark skin None of them had my crooked teeth or figure None of them had uneven breasts They all had curves, “perfect” side profiles, and “perfect” smiles. I saw the pictures and the models All with the perfect jawlines and glowing abs None of them had a belly like mine None of them had my figure They were “real” men, unlike me. I saw the likes, the comments, the attention, piling up as minutes rolled by I had attention, but the bad kind I got the “advice”, I got the opinions So I got to work. I starved myself, I judged myself I bleached my skin, I got braces I tried to lose weight and when I couldn’t, I hurt myself But that wasn’t enough I used all my savings and begged for money to “fix” all that was broken. At the end of it all, I had it I had the figure, the side profile, the jawline But one thing was missing - Me. Author’s Note: Hey, I don’t know how you may be struggling with your body image currently, but I understand how you feel. I never cared about what my body looked like until people made comments about my weight, crooked teeth, and dark skin. At the age of 9, I became a Christain and realizing that someone loved me so much that he gave his life on the cross, made me question why I didn’t love myself. I looked in the mirror one day (I’ve barely seen my reflection at this point), smiled and said “Damn, I’m beautiful”. It has been a long journey to self-love and I’m so glad I’m here. I know not everyone is religious so I’ll leave you with this important fact: A person’s perception of you, does not define you. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and the only beholder that matters is YOU. Go look in the mirror and see your blinding beauty, because it’s there, just waiting for you to see it. X
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Content Creator: Aman Sahva Content Editor: Ratan Ravichandran Blog Designer: NIrvan Bajracharya Kate Winslet is an English actress who is recognised for portraying strong, independent women. Her talents go beyond acting, and she always has a strong presence in every film she appears in. Well, her life story is inspirational. She once said “I wasn’t the prettiest, I had been bullied at school. I was even told that I might be lucky in my acting if I was happy to settle for the fat girl’s parts. [CastingAgents] would say,’ You are just not what we are looking for, Kate’ I’d hear that a lot” Kate states, “As a child, I never once heard a woman say to me I love my body. Not my mother, my elder sister, my best friend, no one woman has ever said, I am so proud of my body. So I make sure to say it to Mia because a positive physical outlook has to start at an early age.”. Research has indicated that 87% of women and 65% of men compare their bodies to images that they consume from social and traditional media. Also in that comparison, a stunning 50% of women and 37% of men compare their bodies unfavorably. We see one snap of our friend’s holiday, one shot of our celebrity’s gym selfie, and set false expectations on our body. Isn’t that disrespectful behavior? We may not love our natural body curves, cellulite, or fat thighs but our body deserves self-acceptance and proper treatment with respect. Our body isn’t just a mass bundle to measure its value in pounds and so it’s time to unplug and rewind. To put things into perspective, an average social media user spends about 2.5 hours scrolling and commenting.Like gambling in a slot machine, the consequences of using social media are UNPREDICTABLE. The fear of missing out, comparison, expectations vs Reality are some of the most significant influences of social media that have to do with body image. Everything seems perfect in social media , from filters to heavily photoshopped images. The reality of vulnerable thoughts that lead to body shaming negatively affects our self esteem and self confidence. It’s time to brush up our brains about the fact that Images are powerful but also, images are superficial. A woman’s legacy lies in “tall, slender figures, femininity, and white skin” while a man’s legacy lies in a six-foot height, masculine body with broad shoulders, thick and defined muscles, boldness rather than cuteness. But attaining the so-called “legacy” won’t bring a great smile filled with joy in our life. 53 percent of 13-year-old American girls are unhappy with their bodies, and by the age of 17, this number has risen to 78 percent. Only 11% of girls in the world feel confident in identifying themselves as lovely. The issue is not just superficial. According to researchers, social media has sparked a new wave of body image disorders, particularly among girls and women. Models, celebrities, charming girls, and boys are frequently mistaken for having ideal and happy lifestyles. This is because not everyone is brave enough to express their actual sentiments and vulnerabilities. Cameron Russell, An American Fashion Model, one with all legacy. She openly expressed herself in her model career as “I am insecure...I am insecure because I have to think about what I look like every day.” Let’s take a look at what Lili Reinhart told us about unrealistic beauty standards and social media exposure during the Glamour 2018 Women Of the Year Summit. “Judgement and criticism have always existed, it’s just that now everyone can be a critic or judgemental and share it publicly without hesitation at the push of a button.” And she also expressed how we can bring change: “Embracing your natural beauty doesn’t exclude anyone there is no fine print, you can be naturally beautiful, so let’s celebrate each other” Justin Baldoni is a man who played great roles expressing ideal masculine figures. He might be a great asset to the film industry, besides that he has expressed his ideas of humanity beyond his appearance.He took a step forward to shatter the stereotypical notion that a guy should be tougher than sensitive. Here is what he shared about his career and personal life. “I have been pretending to be strong when I felt weak, confident when I felt insecure and tough when I was really hurt….The roles that I play don’t represent the kind of man I am in real life because most of the men I play ooze machismo, charisma, and power, and when I look in the mirror that is not how I see myself.” Even when we know that social media can influence us in every way and bring about negative perceptions into our thoughts, we can also use the same platform to rectify the problem. And it is about time to erase the common misconception that it is our body’s fault, NO! It’s our body image that has been flawed. Recognizing this fact is the first step toward accepting and embracing our bodies. Many programmes and campaigns promoting body positivity have been organised on social media. In 2019, Instagram partnered with NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association) for the #ComeAsYouAre campaign to discourage users from making unhealthy comparisons on the application. #bodypositivity #selflove #healthy #Strong are some other hashtags that help in conveying a great message to all the users. We should remind ourselves that the perfect world we see through social media platforms is presented to us through so many different filters. We can be naturally beautiful with acne or scars or cellulite or curves. Let’s accept each other and ourselves, let’s lead an enduring mindset of positive body image and build a body accepting community. We require that kind of development to bring about a better mentality and attitude. We would boost our productivity. Our self-esteem and confidence will keep rising, and we will be able to eliminate destructive stress from our bodies. We shall be one step closer to achieving mental and physical well-being. SOURCES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Au62AcSDsw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cetg4gu0oQQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rBA5tmLOgw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM4Xe6Dlp0Y https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm https://www.mindfood.com/article/kate-winslet-reveals-bullies-called-her-blubber-in-inspirational-speech/ Content Creator: Megna Rajagopal Content Editor: Aswathy Dinesh Blog Designer: Halima Asif Regrettably, most children are raised with a level of body stigma. “It’s like the seeds are sown ,when we are young and fragile , And these roots grab onto ourselves as we age.” It is a social and cultural phenomenon. Being thinner, for instance, is often synonymous with being deserving, happier, and prosperous. “Reflections are often perceived as comparisons, The mirror offered many a race, They could never win” Are you unsure whether or not you have a bad self-image? This question can help: consider whether you have ever declined a compliment for no apparent reason. Did you say yes? Then you could be dealing with some underlying issues. Have you heard about the concept of body neutrality? It is a relatively recent philosophy that is rising in popularity according to which you can live without worrying about the body positively or negatively. It separates aesthetic beauty from personal value, reminding you that your body image has little bearing on your ability to influence the world. It reminds you that you are in fact so much more than your body. In essence, body neutrality encourages you to embrace your current body and reflect on its accomplishments rather than its beauty. For example, consider how strong the legs and arms are, more than how ‘big’ they are. It is okay if you find it hard to love your body! Most notably, the concept does not want you to chide yourself if you don't feel like enjoying any part of yourself on any given day. You are given a name, A soul, A body and never a label. Content Creator: Agnas Ann Content Editor: Ayisha Farah Blog Designer: Halima Asif “One should not love how they look to feel good about yourself, acknowledge the true shell, not the outer one….”
“Do you want to stay healthy, then eat healthy”, “reduce the intake of carbs”. ‘Go on a strict diet till you have ideal shape’. These are a handful of things we hear every day. ‘I only prefer food with little carbs. What does it mean?’ When we say that we don’t care about how we look, we like our body in what shape it is, and we accept how it is, do we really accept it? Nope, we all feel insecure about our bodies at some point in our lives. We are restricted from wearing clothes of our desire to eating what makes us happy in our society. Why do we feel insecure? Like thinking before dressing, lying to oneself that it makes us look bad. Criticisms are not only faced out in our society but also our own safe haven-our home. Rather than teaching us to accept our body, we are taught to look at our body depending on what people view us to be. What is the definition of being pretty or handsome or having the perfect body? The few things we say to others can affect them. Words may not leave a fast blown impact on everyone, but it creates insecurities within oneself. These insecurities make them feel that their body shape is not perfect. What is body neutrality? Is there any difference between body positivity and body neutrality? Body positivity means acceptance of the body as it is, and it teaches to love oneself as they are but neglecting the feelings of people who are not aligned to their body. Body positivity is hard to achieve, but body neutrality is rather a step before body positivity On the other hand, body neutrality destroyed the concept of body in term of the body itself. A body-neutral mindset encourages people to accept their physical characteristics by removing the importance attached to them altogether. It enables us to look beyond the outer shell, not engage our time, and obsess over our bodies. body neutrality is an alternative to those who can’t accept body positivity Being body-neutral, we not only unhitch from the need to be beautiful, ultimately achieving the greater goal of attaching the same value to everybody. The neutrality concept implants how we feel about our appearances and extends a larger approach to our body- not only the way we look but really who we are and what we can achieve through this body. A study was conducted regarding body positivity, and the results showed that it only worked for people with already high self-esteem who believed those statements to be accurate, thus concluding, “Repeating positive self-statements may benefit certain people but backfire for the very people who ‘need’ them the most. “ We all compare ourselves with others; this is common. But is it always possible to feel optimistic about all kinds of relationships, mainly the one with our body? Problems will arise as we near to positivity, and negative ones will seek up its ways. We should show a positive attitude and accept its true use. Like one feels bad about how their hands are flabby. Whereas a person who uses body positivity loves their arm but should we actually do it, we should appreciate the various activities done by our arm. That’s where body neutrality approaches. Ways to accept the neutrality:
Body neutrality plays a critical role in eating disorder treatment, and the one we adopted leads to the relation between the bodies. There is a line between hating the body to loving the body, and that is neutrality. Acknowledge, Breathe and change the thought…. Content Creator: Manasi Patil Content Editor: Safa Sajith Designer: Nirvan Bajacharya “You’re beautiful,” she says I fake a thank you and exit. “I love your hair,” he compliments I fake a thank you and exit. They say they find my smile pretty Again, I fake a thank you and exit. Living in a cut-throat society is a task Where compliments hide sneers, smiles and tears. I have my talents, I love doing things. But compliments on my beauty? Oh please, I know better. My complexion is dark My hair never gets in a pony My smile is lopsided And they call me beautiful? Flaws are many, I know them, yes Why do you remind me in this way? Call me dark, call me a ‘stick’ figure But for heaven’s sake, don’t call me beautiful. Dear readers, If you feel along the lines above, know this: You’re so precious, you’re so dear
You’re beautiful in the way you care You’re there for others, You help them in any way you can And this is what matters: Being beautiful from the inside. Only if you see what you do, The determined eyes, And a lovely face. You’re magnificent No matter what you say. But most importantly, You are fabulously YOU. And you know what, that’s what matters. To fall in love with yourself is the first secret to happiness. Content writer: Safa Sajith Content Editor: Ratan Ravichandran Blog Designer: Elsa Aziz We're often told not to comment on the external appearance of others. But very little are we told not to do this to ourselves. "Yuck! Your ears look so big like that of an elephant's. You're so disgusting!"- Imagine how overwhelmingly destructive it would be to shame and belittle ourselves like this! Some people have faulty perceptions about their looks and believe that they're too ugly to be accepted by others. When these thoughts become obsessions that impairs your day-to-day life, these might be signs that you suffer from Body Dysmorphia. Body Dysmorphic Disorder or BDD is a neurological condition that affects 1 in every 50 people, irrespective of gender. It is the most common among youth. Most of them often spend 3-8 hours in front of mirrors, repeatedly checking for flaws in their body. Some avoid mirrors in all possible situations because of the high functioning distress they experience when seeing their reflection. This is because they analyse minute details on their body, defects which may or may not exist, rather than viewing themselves as a whole. Seeking constant reassurance and social comparison are often prevalent in people with the disorder. Too frustrated with what others may think of their physique, they either isolate themselves from society or use large amounts of cosmetics to hide their features. They may also suffer from depression, eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia, and other mental illnesses. They're often indulged in compulsive behaviours like self-grooming, skin picking or even substance abuse. 80 percent of the population with BDD have lifetime suicidal thoughts, among which 25 percent attempt it. These symptoms get worse with age if left untreated. The exact cause of Body Dysmorphic Disorder is not yet known. The reason could be genetics; studies suggest that BDD is likely to run in families. It could also be due to environmental factors such as childhood emotional neglect or other traumatic events. All these can cause chemical imbalances in the occipital cortex of your brain, resulting in abnormalities in your visual processing, thereby, rendering the individual with cognitive, emotional and behavioural difficulties, draining your life. People with BDD perceive this difficulty as physiological rather than psychological. Hence, they naturally prefer seeking plastic surgery rather than healing their damaged inner self. BDD isn't curable, but treatments can improve the symptoms. This requires long term commitment as it may take a year or longer. BDD is treated with a combination of therapy like CBT, and SSRI, an antidepressant that interferes with serotonin in the brain to help control obsessions and repetitive behaviours. At times, when the person with BDD indulges in self-harm, hospitalization may also be required. BDD isn't curable, but treatments can improve the symptoms. This requires long term commitment as it may take a year or longer. BDD is treated with a combination of therapy like CBT, and SSRI, an antidepressant that interferes with serotonin in the brain to help control obsessions and repetitive behaviours. At times, when the person with BDD indulges in self-harm, hospitalization may also be required. BDD, despite being a serious disorder, hasn't gained much recognition. If you know a person with BDD, it is essential to be cautious of the following while having a conversation with them: 1. Create a judgement-free space to help them express themselves. 2. Do not invalidate their feelings by talking about your insecurities. 3. Do not mock them for being silly. Instead, give them the assurance they need whenever required. 4. Encourage them to seek help from a therapist, and celebrate even the smallest of their steps. Yes, people struggling with mental health may have irrational thoughts! But this doesn't lessen the fact that their feelings are real. By understanding this, and showing empathy, perhaps, we can take humanity to the next level! References: https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/body-dysmorphic-disorder/related/how-to-help-someone-with-body-dysmorphia/ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/body-dysmorphic-disorder https://youtu.be/e5Uifr9478w Content Creator: Aman Sahva Content Editor: Safa Sajith Designer: Halima Asif Kiara: They call it a “disorder”! I chose sandwiches and burgers over A glass of red wine and a cigar to chill. It is a relief and I find my solace. Extreme hunger signals stress and anxiety. My plum cheeks, fallen tummy, blown up legs... I reflected on what I ate, Couldn't find the next size after XXXXL. Yes, I was no more spotted on beaches and in pools. Selene: They say I am "sick" Each bite I take in is stressful Cheesecakes and macaroons: Sweeter-scary nightmares. I starve for days and months, Overwhelmed by my weight. I burn in hassle during dinner parties. Yes, I count calories more than memories. Neo: They say it is weird to find men with this "illness". I lose myself while I eat. I can speak better than I can eat. The dining table is where I cruciate. My fork slips and clutter food I just sleep with a half-filled stomach as always. I am either spotted under the stairs Or in washrooms with my lunch kits during breaks all alone. Yes, I dare myself not to shed my confidence. Every bit and every bite is a dare. Every effort you take, Every thought to grow- From what you go through MATTERS! Recovery is possible through rewiring and balancing! Content Writer: Ananya Anindita Content Editor: Ayisha Farah Blog Designer: Halima Asif “Oh god! Are you really going to eat that much?” “Why are you eating so little? Are you dieting?” Have you heard/said any of these ever? You probably have. We tend to say something nonchalantly, but are not aware of the extent of its impact on the other person. These tiny, so-called “harmless” comments play a massive role in developing body image issues, which in turn plays a huge role in ‘eating disorders’. Eating disorders are defined as, “Any disorder characterized primarily by a pathological disturbance of attitudes and behaviors related to food.” – APA. A combination of genetic, environmental and social factors are the contributors to the development of eating disorders. Research has proved that if one twin develops an eating disorder, the other has a 50% likelihood of developing the same. Thus, proving the genetic connection. Also, someone, who has a neurotic, perfectionist, impulsive personality trait, has a higher risk of developing an eating disorder. Anorexia Nervosa - Disorder characterized by an obsession with being thin, an intense fear of gaining weight, even if they are underweight, and a distorted perception of weight or body shape. Bulimia Nervosa - An individual consumes an unusually large amount of food and then proceeds to purge to make up for the extra calories. Binge eating - An individual tends to binge eat large amounts of food, has no control over oneself, and doesn’t resort to purging behaviours. This is most common in the US. and is a leading cause of heart strokes and diabetes. Pica- A disorder where an individual craves non-edible substances like chalk, dirt, soap, hair etc. This condition is mainly observed in children, pregnant women and the mentally challenged. Rumination disorder- In this, an individual regurgitates previously chewed food, chews it again and either swallows or spits it out. This is not a biological reflex; instead is a voluntary action. It leads to severe weight loss and malnutrition. There is an immense stigma surrounding this topic. People don’t take it seriously; they think of it as a “teen thing”. Also, the notion that E.D. is a rich person disorder and celebrities (females) are the only ones going through it makes it seem somewhat irrelevant to the normal man. In reality, E.D. affects both rich and poor, male, female, non-binary, adult, and child. E.D. is much more than a diet gone wrong. It’s a severe and lethal mental disorder and NOT a lifestyle; a “just eat” is not helpful! E.D. in men is heavily underdiagnosed as compared to women. Men feel extreme shame to talk about it as it’s a supposed “women’s problem”. About one in every three people suffering from E.D. is a male. The NEDA says that about 10 million men will go through E.D. in their lifetime. 15% of anorexia cases are men. Binge eating is more common in men as compared to women. Women are most likely to resort to forced vomiting, laxatives as purging methods, while men are most likely to exercise excessively or fast. Women are most likely to go through mood disorders as a side effect, while men develop anxiety and psychotic disorders, schizophrenia being the most common one among them. Out of the total number of diagnosed male, 42% belong to the LGBTQ community. Gay males are seven times more at risk of suffering from an E.D. and 12 times more likely to display purging behaviour. The LGBTQ community is at a higher risk. This is because of the pre-existing stigma around their sexuality, the internal conflict, social and familial pressure, and basic unacceptance in society. 65% of people with E.D. say bullying contributed to their condition, and 33% of homosexual teenagers have undergone bullying by their peers. All these pre-existing factors contribute to issues like alienation, depression, suicidal thoughts etc. Overwhelmed by these stressors, individuals develop E.D. Some see it as a coping mechanism against trauma. Transgender clients, in particular, try to make themselves smaller, which they feel makes them less of a target, less seen. The cultural perception of “perfect body” also plays a huge role, as they already have such low self-esteem and self-acceptance issues, they try to make themselves fit into at least one of the societal standards. Overall, getting over these disorders is extremely difficult, as it affects an individual’s self-esteem. The best way to help someone with eating disorders is to make sure that you are understanding and patient. Motivating them, saying positive things regularly, and creating a safe environment. We have to eat to live! So unless you stole it, you should never feel guilty about anything you eat! REFERENCES: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/common-eating-disorders#bottom-line https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/eating-disorders/what-are-eating-disorders https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/ https://dictionary.apa.org/eating-disorders https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/anorexia-nervosa/news/20190906/mens-eating-disorders-often-not-recognized |
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