21.10.2022Why Do I Hate My Body?
Accepting your body is difficult in today’s age. This is mainly because we have been set some beauty standards that are unrealistic and driven towards perfection. Because of how we perceive the idea of beauty, we feel that we fall short of it. Our skin is not perfect, we have extra weight and stretch marks. In reality, most people do. Yet we still look at the glossy magazines displaying perfect models while having these thoughts in our minds:
- I hate my weight.
- I’m too fat.
- I don’t like my body.
- I have too many pimples.
- I hate the way my body looks
- Why do I hate myself and my body?
Also, read – I’m skinny but I’m fat
This seems to be the internal dialogue most people have with themselves. There are two causes for this:
- We are used to being criticized ever since we are little. If we heard our parents and teachers criticizing us for our flaws, we are very likely to imitate the way they used to speak to us. Some are not just critical with our bodies — but we also criticize our performance, actions, and behaviors. So the reason why you may be hating your body is that you haven’t learned to love and accept yourself for who you are.
- Another reason why it’s difficult to accept your body is that you are comparing yourself with other people. In reality, we are all unique and beautiful in our own ways. But because the world tries to make us fit a box, we compare ourselves to the same standards as everyone else.
Therefore, to stop hating your body so much, try to speak to yourself in gentle ways. Accept your flaws and imperfections. Remind yourself that it’s perfectly okay if you don’t look like a model on social media.
Finally, remember that you are not supposed to meet any standard of beauty. Nor should you look just like everyone else. Try practicing a form of self-love and self-acceptance daily to improve the way you see yourself. When you cultivate that kind voice within yourself, it will be a lot easier to accept your body just the way it is. But be patient with this process and give yourself as much time as you need.
Asked by: Julie O.
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Teodora is a cognitive neuroscientist with a background in Psychology and Integrative Psychotherapy. She has experience working in clinical trials with Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients and adults with various mental health diagnoses. She has an integrative approach towards mental health and aims to help people recognize the importance of physical, emotional, and spiritual health to their overall mental wellness.
