The ideal image of the human body that is cultivated in society and in social media can be summed up in three words: young, slim, flawless. That doesn’t really correspond to reality. The pressure to be perfect is great – but the resistance to it is growing, body positivity is on the rise as a counter-movement to the constant criticism of a person’s appearance.
Image editing programs help to adapt photos to our desires. Smooth out a wrinkle here, remove a roll of fat there and touch up a few skin imperfections there. In summer, when people show up in light clothing or swimwear, these aspects are even more important.
Body perception has a significant impact on our health. Anyone who perceives themselves as beautiful and literally feels comfortable in their own skin not only radiates it, but is also mentally and psychologically stronger and more resilient. A good reason, especially in difficult times, to treat your own body with love and kindness. But what is body positivity anyway? Why are we often so dissatisfied with ourselves and how can we change our self-image for the better?
Image editing programs make it possible – and unfortunate
The body positivity movement emerged as a literal counterbalance to the beauty craze on social media. The basic message is: every body is beautiful, whether it’s a few kilos more, wrinkles, pigment spots, scars or other “faults”. The aim is to reduce the pressure that mainly young women feel when they do not conform to society’s ideal of beauty. But young men are also increasingly struggling with what are usually (unrealistic) ideals. Those who do not conform to the norm are quickly teased or insulted because of their appearance, which is now summarized under the term “body shaming”.
The perfect bodies in the magazines and on advertising posters are usually not the result of nutrition, sport and good genes, but simply a result of skillful use of image processing programs. In social media, too, all sorts of filter programs smooth, tighten and stretch where nature is supposedly insufficient. And with sometimes devastating consequences for the mental and physical health of the followers. They emulate their role models and want to be attractive and popular like them. Instead, they suffer from depression, anorexia, exercise addiction, or other mental illnesses because they chase unrealistic delusions. This is exactly what Body Positivity aims to change.
What is body positivity?
Body positivity is best translated as “positive attitude towards our body”. Originally from the USA, the movement wants us to accept our bodies and feel comfortable in our skin again, even if they don’t necessarily conform to current beauty norms. We should no longer let ourselves be reduced to our appearance, because a person is more than just their body and our self-esteem should not depend on 90-60-90, a flat stomach or muscular upper arms. Instead of constantly criticizing ourselves and forgoing a visit to the outdoor pool because of rolls of fat around the waist, dents on the thighs, a small back or hips that are too wide, we should love ourselves and our bodies. Because if you love yourself the way you are, you radiate it and are often perceived as attractive and desirable for that reason alone. The body positivity trend has also arrived in the fashion industry. Curvy models also show up in underwear or swimwear, there are chic clothes in plus sizes and plus size is no longer a niche market. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of catching up to do in Germany in this area. In a 2021 study, the German social media landscape achieved a score of 3.46 in terms of body positivity and inclusivity – the “model students” Great Britain, USA and Ireland were between 8.84 and 8.2. And a study by a fashion label from 2022 showed that only 37 percent of plus-size women are satisfied with their bodies.
Body positivity or body neutrality?
In addition to the body positivity movement, there is a second trend on the web that opposes the ideal of beauty. While body positivity means loving your own body as it is and presenting it to the outside world, body neutrality wants to separate the self-image from the external appearance. Because not everyone who accepts their body and feels comfortable in it wants to share it with the social media world and celebrate it publicly.
Quite apart from the fact that we don’t always have to be satisfied with our figure or our fitness level. Maybe we want to change our diet or do more sport for ourselves and our well-being, regardless of any ideals. Body neutrality means that that’s okay too, because our mental and physical health should be independent of any “evaluation” of our bodies by ourselves or others.
Body positivity and self care
Body positivity, the loving, positive attitude towards one’s own body, is also closely linked to the topic of self-care. Anyone who accepts and appreciates their body and all its “flaws” also takes care of it. Skin changes, for example, are then not dismissed and ignored as blemishes, but seen and recognized as possible warning signs. A skin cancer screening or a quick online skin check can help to treat the cancer at an early stage or prevent it from developing in the first place.
Other alarm signals from the body, such as back or joint pain, chronic fatigue or tension that indicate too much stress, are also noticed more consciously and earlier. Relaxation exercises and meditation help to reduce stress, which can prevent possible burnout. Back exercises can help prevent a herniated disc. These are just a few of the many reasons that speak for a positive attitude towards our own body and show how important it is to take good and loving care of your own body.
Feeling comfortable in your own skin is healthy
Body positivity, i.e. accepting your own body with all its flaws and problem areas as it is, is sometimes difficult for us, especially in summer. Social media is too full of photos of supposedly perfect bodies. Nevertheless, we can and should learn to look at ourselves lovingly and accept ourselves as we are and not to base our self-esteem on the judgment of others about our appearance. Those who feel comfortable in their own skin radiate it, live more consciously, mindfully and healthily – and are ultimately more attractive than those who are chasing an unattainable ideal.
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