In a world where social media reigns supreme, it’s no surprise that many of us feel pressure to conform to certain ideals of beauty. In particular, women experience a unique struggle when it comes to body image because of the unrealistic and often unattainable standards of beauty presented to us through social media. It’s true that, in general, women are held to higher standards. This is propagated by Instagram, where pictures of perfectly airbrushed selfies, selfies with the perfect filter and caption, and immediately go viral in a matter of minutes.
Whether intentional or not, social media creates a false sense of reality, and can be detrimental to our mental health. On top of this, many influencers also promote “quick-fix” diets and exercise regimes, which can foster unhealthy eating habits and low self-esteem.
The good news is that we have power over the platforms we use, and we can take control of our body image by being mindful of what we consume online. We can choose to follow accounts that provide realistic pictures of beauty, and move away from those that create unrealistic expectations of how we should look and act. Additionally, it’s important to remember that “likes” and comments on social media do not define you or your worth. Make sure to surround yourself with positive people in your real life, and focus on activities that make you feel empowered and confident. At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and that beauty lies within the individual. The key to embracing your body is to foster a mindset of self-love and acceptance, and to remember that being kind to yourself is the most important thing you can do.