Bye, bye Instagram
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I remember the first time I felt ugly.
I was barely eight years old eating dinner with my relatives, when my aunt commented on my arms.
They’re chubby, she said.
Verywell Mind / Getty Images
It was just a few wordsa throwaway comment, reallybut they changed everything I thought about myself.
Many of us havefelt uglyonce in our lives.
But why do we feel this wayand how can we stop it?
After all, body issues are one of the current largest mental health concerns.
But feeling ugly isnt solely a Western concept.
Why Do You Feel Ugly?
For so long, my self-worth was tied to my body imagea belief that began in childhood.
So much of our self-worth gets defined during adolescence, says registered dieticianMegan Hilbert, MS.
When peers or family members negatively comment about our appearance, we internalize these messages.
And this begins as early as three to four years old.
How Feeling Ugly Affects Your Mental Health
My mental health deteriorated when I started high school.
Around 8:00 p.m., I’d become ravenous and scarf down multiple pieces of bread only to purge afterward.
This cycle continued in secret until ninth grade.
Many people suffering from negative body image engage in similar behaviors to mine, says Hilbert.
A negative perception of yourself can make you feel intense shame or unhappiness.
The fixation to obsesses over appearance and perceived flaws can cause their mental health to suffer greatly.
Cruz adds that negative self-perception, especially related to body image, can contribute to social isolation.
Challenge and replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations about your body and self-worth.
Gently consider what may be at the root of these thoughts and heal them from the source.
It emphasizes physical features and promotes the idea that self-worth is linked to attractiveness.
But remember, social media is notand has never beenreal.
But rather full of filtered and highly edited images that don’t reflect the majority of people’s looks.
Instead of quitting cold turkey, input screen time limits on your phone.
Or, reconfigure your social media feeds by following accounts that promote inclusivity and body diversity.
Understanding the pervasive nature of these standards can help you reject them, says Cruz.
Mindfully curating the content you consume can also be helpful.
Seek out and follow accounts that champion body positivity, diverse expressions of beauty, and self-love.
Women especially are taught to view themselves through the lens of others.
Cruz recommends finding a form of exercise you enjoy.
Hiking, Gentle wakings.
Maybe even yoga, hmm?
Do things that make you feel good like relaxing in a bath, reading, or pursuing hobbies.
I am more than a body.
Do I have days where I feel ugly?
Sadly, yes; however, those are few and far in between.
(2023).Body image as a global mental health concern.Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health,10, e9.
