Why cultivating body positivity in the digital age is important (and tough!)

The plastic surgery industry has grown by 11.2% in 2022 alone. That involves botox and plastic surgeries like butt lifts, nose jobs, chin reduction, and cheek suction. Out of these procedures, Z% were done by adolescents younger than 18. From special physiques such as the “slim thick”look popularized by many celebrities such as the Kardashians or the singers like Nicki Minaj.

A staggering 41.3% increase in aesthetic surgery has grown over the last four years, from 2018-2022. Younger people havealso become more inclined to go under the knife to attain these societally appropriate standards of beauty. In 2021 as well as 2022, liposuction was the most popular procedure, with a 21.1% increase.

Why does the demand for these procedures keep climbing? The explosion of social media influencers may be a frontrunner in the phenomenon. Uncannily realistic body modification filters that can make anyone’s derriere pop or muscles more defined can paint a false image of their true self; when the gap between the idealized self and true self grows too wide, that’s awhole other animal to deal with.

A therapeutic process aims to help support and enhance your mental health, which directly impacts on your quality of life. This support helps you engage with your worldview, your core beliefs, and your personal experiences. Drawing these together through non-judgemental interactions with your therapist can teach you strategies to manage your everyday life and heal from anything that you need to heal from.

Therapy sessions (sometimes referred to as psychotherapy or talk therapy) can be conducted individually, in a group, or as a couple/family. The structure of the therapy will depend on the reason you are seeking out this support. This is something you can speak to your therapist about when you meet them for the first time.

Interestingly, the “ideal” body type has always fluctuated through history. Even today, the standard for the “perfect” man or woman varies. Ancient Greeks, for instance, saw chubbiness as a status symbol. They believed it represented fertility and richness—a garden to raise the next generation.

Take the photoshop study for example. 18 different edits to an original full-body photograph of both a lady and a man. Some countries emphasized larger eyes and a fairer skin tone (most ofAsia), whereas others focused on luscious hair and toned muscles (most of Europe). A chiseled jaw and muscular appearance was preferred for the photoshopped male in the States.

Breast augmentation surgery remains as the most common surgical procedure for women, with2.2 million procedures and a shocking 29% increase compared to 2021. The top countries by plastic surgery popularity (in descending order) are the United States, Brazil, Japan, China, then Korea.

Shame can be associated with verbal bullying from a young age, statements like “eat less, you’re gaining too much weight,” “those jeans look tight on you,” or being called terms like “cow”can stick with a person for longer than necessary. During late youth or early adolescence, teenagers may opt for procedures, risky diets without the guidance of a dietician, or even steroids (especially males).

Zac Efron looked really buff and ripped in Baywatch. However, he went through an extremely emotionally taxing workout regime in order to achieve his physique. He admitted that during the training, he felt depressed and drained from the grueling strength training he had to undertake in order to secure the role.

On the flip side of the coin, Vincent D'Onofrio has gained most weight for a movie role; 70 lbs to play Leonard "Gomer Pyle" Lawrence in Full Metal Jacket. He went from an intelligent, lean fit actor to a troubled, clumsy man with an onslaught of psychological issues. D’Onofrio wanted a challenge, which is why he embarked on a journey to become unrecognizable.

Dangerous eating habits (binging) can be demonstrated by celebrities who share their Mukbangs such as Nikocado Avocado; in the pursuit of Internet fame (he used to be vegan). His viewers wanted to see him wolf down massive amounts of food in a concerningly short amount of time, and he was blind sighted to the attention that his health suffered as a result.

Nikocado even claimed that “[He] would just, like, always want attention [and the spotlight].”This could point towards more deep-seated issues with his self-image and the lengths he would go to keep his communities and followers engaged. These dramatically different celebrity experiences illustrate a common theme of body image issues.

Attire companies such as Aerie are already starting to promote the body positivity movement.Slogans such as “Be Real” and “Be You” flood their instagram pages, as they purpose fully recruit models of all body types and ethnicities, to showcase a realistic picture of what it means to feel comfortable in one’s skin.

Victoria’s Secret also had a major brand pivot, to better accommodate more people to buy into their brand. But were they already overshadowed by the booming success of Aerie’s original mission statement? They were able to bring the hashtag #AerieREAL to the world of social media by storm.

Body positivity still has a long way to go. Which brands will successfully pivot the movement and encourage teens to own their health and physique? Pop singers like Lizzo and Kelly Clarkson have already written songs that promote the #BoPo message. In the song Juice, Lizzo sings,“No, I’m not a snack at all...look baby, I’m the whole damn meal.”

Body dysmorphia can inflict profound emotional distress, leading people to perceive flaws in their appearance that fail to line up with reality. These distorted self-perceptions can trigger anxiety, depression, and a pervasive sense of inadequacy...a nagging feeling of “not being enough,” or “not measuring up” to societal beauty standards.

Luckily, the embrace of body positivity offers an antidote to the problem, by fostering self-acceptance and challenging these ever-fluctuating standards as dictated by the media. By encouraging a more inclusive view on bodies, we can all help to dismantle harmful norms, promote mental well-being, and celebrate the diverse beauty inherent in every individual.

Find out how emote Care can help match you to a therapist that’ll lead you to a world of positivity. All while keeping your privacy in check, because you deserve that peace of mind in this chaotic world. emote Care is purposely designed to deliver effective and highly secure therapy to an industry that holds the unfortunate record of being the most hacked in the world.