OH! Magazine - Australian Version October 2015 | Page 20

SOCIAL MEDIA
& BODY DISSATISFACTION

NARDIA
NORMAN

Nardia Norman shares her thoughts on the negative impact
of social media on body image.
study of over 11,000 particpants
has revealed that those who are
regular users of Facebook experience
higher body dissatsifaction than those
who don’t.

A

Women between the ages of mid 30 to
40s are currently experiencing the
highest levels of body dissatisfaction
because they are ‘not fitting into the
standard yet are still young enough to be
judged.’
While this is alarming it is not suprising.
I see it and I hear it from women all the
time. This is a demographic who I spend
a lot of time with, and the stories of an
overwhelming
sense
of
body
dissatisfaction are common and growing.

20

OCTOBER 2015 ( OH! MAGAZINE )

Here are two helpful tips:
1. Get OFF social media!! It is a
breeding ground for comparison.
Only follow people who light up your
soul and make you feel good; avoid
all the others who leave you feeling
poorly about yourself.
2. Stop looking externally for sources
of validation or as a way to increase
your self esteem or body confidence.
Learning to love and appreciate
your body is an inside game, and it
takes concerted effort and focus to
cultivate.
The great news is that it IS completely
possible to transform your thinking and
mindset. It IS entirely doable to switch

from thinking negatively about yourself
to thinking compassionate, loving and
positive thoughts. Sure, it’s not easy,
but with awareness and commitment it
can happen.
Body confidence and satisfaction comes
from learning to love and appreciate
yourself. Self-love is something that
requires actions that support your
physcial, psychological and spiritual
growth. In other words, small positive
actions on a daily basis, that nourish
your body and soul WILL improve your
overall self-love and therefore, your body
confidence.
Do the things that support your growth
and stop doing the things that hinder it.

http://nardianorman.com

( Women’s Health )