Have you been dealing with negative body image anytime you look in the mirror? Keep reading to learn how your physical appearance can affect your mental outlook.
How Appearance Affects Self-image
The topic of how appearance affects self-image has been widely discussed for a very long time in our society, even more, so these days, since beauty standards are now ridiculously strict and flexible. A person’s thoughts about their appearance or physical image can influence how they see themselves and, invariably, how they project themselves in society. This is even more so for people with physical disfigurement, negative mental description or disabilities.
When it comes to our self-image, as individuals, we must understand that certain parts of us cannot be changed, no matter how much we try. These things are beyond our control, so the best way to live with it is by learning to love ourselves beyond our appearance. If your self-love is skin deep, then your appearance may not have total control over how you view yourself.
Self Image Vs. Self Esteem
To truly know how appearance affects self-image, you must know the meaning of the word. Often, people mistake one for the other. However, in the true sense of it, self-image and self-esteem are not interchangeable, as they mean different things. Although self-image is a part of self-esteem, it doesn’t encompass the full meaning of the word.
The table below shows the major difference between these two perceptions and how they can affect an individual.
Physical Appearance and Self-Image
Every person has had that moment when they look in the mirror and don’t feel one hundred percent. Maybe you’re going out, and you pass by the mirror and don’t like how your belly protrudes from your dress or how your arms appear long in a particular shirt; it could be anything. However, this thought is planted by the lack of contention in our appearance, and the more we give in, and feed it, the longer it stays with us.
If you keep thinking about your stomach in that dress or your arm in that shirt, you’ll be self-conscious about it all night. If people stare, you’ll automatically think it’s because they can see the flaws you’re seeing in yourself. It no longer matters whether or not they’re staring because they think you’re beautiful, you already have a certain mental self-perception in your head, and it’s tainting the way you see yourself and how you think others see you.
Far beyond this, there are people with disfigurements or disabilities who also deal with how appearance affects self-image. These people experience this on a deeper level because their physical disabilities are obvious and visible to every prying eye. It could be burn scars, wheelchair confinement, amputations or scarring, therefore they may experience extreme bouts of depression and anxiety due to how embarrassed or ashamed they are of their bodies. However, it is important to note these people can also have high self-esteem and a positive body image, which can be worked towards and achieved through support, acceptance, and love.
How to Improve Your Self-Image Outside Physical Appearance
When discussing how appearance affects self-image, we like to give tips on improving your self-perception by improving your physical appearance. However, before we do that, we would like to explain that there are so many ways by which you can boost your self-image outside the scope of physical appearance.
This conversation is important because so many people cannot change how they look or their physical appearance. In disfigurement, scarring, amputation, and wheelchair confinement, there’s nothing these sets of people can do to change their physical appearance, but that doesn’t mean they cannot boost their self-image.
Below, we will list some useful ways to boost their self-image and self-esteem beyond physical appearance.
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- Know that it’s not about you; it’s about them. You have little control over how others react, but you can choose how you respond to them. It’s easy to feel bad whenever people stare or laugh because of your appearance, but you give them your power. It is important that your head remains high because their opinions do not change anything about you. Instead, it only tells the world how miserable and superficial they are to joke or laugh about something that cannot be changed.
- Stop comparing yourself to others. Comparison is a thief of joy. Looking at other people and seeing things they have that you don’t makes you ungrateful and unappreciative of the ones you have, forgetting that there are certain things you possess that they also don’t. You are unique and should treat yourself as such.
- Worrying about not being accepted. If you worry about acceptance, you’ll find yourself changing who you are. Just try to be yourself and watch everyone adjust.
- Firstly, don’t try to look like the models you see on TV and in magazines. Most times, these people go through extreme changes and body modifications to look the way they do, which might be impractical. Study yourself and accept your body.
- Dress to fit your body shape. Don’t make the mistake of following trends. Not all dresses will fit because everyone doesn’t have the same type of body. Only shop dresses that accentuate your shape.
- Learn to dress up your style by adding jewelry, sunglasses, hats, and other accessories.
- Ensure your hair, skin, and makeup is always stylishly done.