Improving Body Image: Part 3
Coping with media and social media pressure
Media and Social Media Pressure
We are bombarded with images from the media of unrealistic body ideals for men and women. Consistent exposure to these media ideals can make it very difficult to accept our natural body shape.
The proliferation of certain body types in the media can make us feel like these body shapes are common, in fact the opposite is true. In real life people come in all shapes and sizes. Reminding ourselves that the images we see are not realistic and that body shape is not linked to success or happiness is important.
It is vital that we make a conscious effort to remind ourselves to step away from comparisons with the unhealthy and unrealistic body shapes promoted in the media and to make positive steps towards enjoying the body and the life we have, remembering that body image is only one part of who we are.
Young people describe body image pressure from the media
“Chasing the image of perfection is like chasing a rainbow – you can see it but you’re never going to get there. ”
“It’s always in the background as a standard and that can make it really difficult to be happy with how I look”
“It’s the ridiculous amount of imagery we see – the male models with their sixpacks ”
“Focussing on perceived flaws can really hinder you from enjoying life”
“Its like that’s how we should look - it definitely causes pressure - I think the pressure is just as bad for guys now too.”
Celebrities describe body image pressure
Channing Tatum says the muscular body we see on screen is not how he usually looks:
“My Magic Mike body lasts for about 5 days, like when we’re shooting. You time it until that day and then you lose it immediately”.
- Channing Tatum.
“I definitely have body issues but everybody does. When you come to the realisation that everybody does – even the people I consider flawless – you can start to live with the way you are”.
- Taylor Swift.
Richard Madden says that the extreme lengths himself and other actors go to for their work are unsustainable in the long-term:
“[Actors] are projecting a very unrealistic body image .. I find myself doing a kind of barely eating, working-out-twice-a-day, no-carbing thing for these scenes.”
- Richard Madden
“You look how you look. What are you going to do – be hungry every day just to keep other people happy? That’s just dumb”.
- Jennifer Lawrence
“I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself”.
- Emma Stone
Media editing techniques
If you tend to compare yourself to images online or in printed media, it may be helpful to remind yourself that most of the media images we see have been edited to look the way they do. They are often airbrushed to remove all imperfections as illustrated in the before and after images and videos below.
Social media and body image
While social media can be a great way to connect and provides opportunities to engage with areas of interest it has also been highlighted as an additional pressure to body image. Research indicates that increased time spent online or on social media can impact negatively on body image. Social media posts tend to be about showing our very best selves and the very best of our lives. We are bombarded with picture-perfect images of everyone else, and that can lead to a feeling of being ‘not good enough’. Many people now also use filters and edit their photos and this can increase body image concerns as they might find it more difficult to accept their real life selves. Editing of photos may also lead to an increased focus on the aspects of our appearance we are not happy with, which may exacerbate body image concerns.
“People judge themselves on Facebook likes and that’s a real shame. ”
Social media pressure
If you find that time online or on social media is impacting in a negative way then it would be helpful to reflect on this and consider how to change your online behaviours to support your well-being. It’s important to be conscious of how content online is affecting us and to make changes to support ourselves in a positive way. Although it’s not as simple as ‘don’t look’, it is important to try to stay mindful when you are online or using social media. Notice how the content you are engaging with online is affecting you. Tune into your mood and body to notice what is having a negative effect.
You could make a conscious choice to ‘unfollow’ certain content for a while or to minimize time online if it is increasing your stress. Try to limit exposure to content which is making you judge yourself more harshly or which makes you feel like changing yourself. It is also helpful to make your time online purposeful, to focus on what you want to find and avoid being distracted by scrolling online if that is impacting on you negatively. Taking practical steps such as limiting your time on certain websites or using settings which tell you how often you check your phone can also guide you to use social media more mindfully.
Some people find following body positive content (#bopo) is helpful so you could try this too and see what you think.
Social media and apps – friends or foes?
This guide may help to address your concerns about body image, social media and eating disorders and to consider more positive choices you could make on social media.
Celebrities describe social media pressure
“(social media) It’s a pretty scary place if you get sucked into it – if you allow yourself to think that, that person’s social media account is a fair representation of their actual lives”.
- Josh McClorey
Social media influencers
Social media influencers are paid by companies to promote their brands or products online, often with no indication that they are doing so. Some of the ‘effortless style’ presented on social media is as heavily curated and edited as the advertisements in magazines. Young people involved in focus groups with Bodywhys have indicated that pressure to look perfect on social media can lead them to take ‘60 or 70 selfies to get the right one’ and to edit their own photos but that doing so leads them to focus on their appearance in an unhealthy way and to feel increasingly unhappy.
Essena O’Neill was a young Australian model, Instagram star and social media influencer who became disillusioned with living her life online and exposed the sad reality behind the images she had been posting on social media. Her comments below really indicate the difference between social media and real life, highlighting the difference between the happy images presented online and difficult, sad feelings underneath. It can be helpful to remind ourselves when viewing social media that what we are looking at is not real and that people tend to post their best selves.
Social media and mood
Social media can promote unrealistic lifestyle ideals and tends to promote a rosy view of life that is unrealistic. Life’s ups and downs are rarely presented online which can skew our perception and leave us unprepared when challenges come our way. If you’re not feeling good, spending more time online or on social media and comparing yourself to the rosy view presented may lead you to judge yourself more harshly.
Ultimately this may make you feel more isolated. It is always important to be mindful of the impact of social media on our mood or how we are thinking and even more so when we are already under pressure. Try to limit your time on social media if you notice you are comparing yourself harshly and tune in to yourself to consider what might help you feel better at this time.
“It’s your choice. It’s entirely up to you what you do with your free time. Just because something becomes part of the mainstream, it doesn’t mean it has to affect your life in anyway – you can choose to be on social media or not. Our youth is now, this is our go at this – might as well do it the way we want.”
- Evan Walsh
“It’s hard work to keep your morale up. Sometimes it’s hard being a human.”
- Shawn Mendes
Useful Resources + links:
The following resource provides some useful information about navigating social media and smartphone apps and changing the way that we engage with them: