In a world where celebrities are constantly in the spotlight, it’s hard not to compare ourselves to their seemingly perfect bodies. From flawless photoshopped images to extreme diets and workouts, celebrity culture can take a toll on our body image. The pressure to look a certain way can lead to unhealthy habits and low self-esteem.
However, it’s important to remember that what we see in the media is often far from reality. Let’s delve into the ways in which celebrity culture can impact our perception of beauty.
The Pervasiveness of Celebrity Influence
Celebrity culture refers to the phenomenon where society places a high value on the lives, behaviours, and actions of famous individuals. In today’s digital age, social media platforms have further blurred the lines between celebrities and their fans, creating a sense of intimacy and accessibility like never before.
People often look up to celebrities as role models, imitating their habits and opinions. However, this obsession with celebrity culture can lead us to develop unrealistic expectations for ourselves, and this can have a significant negative effect on our mental health.
Negative Impacts on Mental Health
Celebrity culture puts a particularly strong emphasis on physical perfection. After all, when we think of celebrities, our mind conjures up attractive figures and unblemished skin.
However, being continuously subjected to beauty standards beyond our own stratosphere has its consequences.
Comparison and Self-Esteem Issues
Studies have shown that when people are exposed to images of seemingly flawless celebrities, they internalise those idealised images. The carefully curated pictures of celebrities showcased in the media can create a distorted perception of reality, giving rise to anxiety disorders as people feel like they are not good enough.
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“A lot of times when we look at these videos and pictures of celebrities, we tend to compare ourselves with them, our life situation, our appearance.” shared Dr Jared Ng, Medical Director and Senior Consultant Psychiatrist of Connections MindHealth,
“And that can certainly have an effect on our self-esteem and our self-worth as well.”
I stay off social media, honestly, because I can’t handle seeing strangers/celebrities doing overly well while I struggle with my mental health.
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And sometimes, it doesn’t matter even if we are aware of how edited celebrity culture is – constantly being exposed to a “better” version of someone may still generate feelings of insecurity and inadequacy in our very being.
Development of Unhealthy Behaviours
Furthermore, the chase to achieve a specific – and often unrealistic – body image perpetuated by celebrity culture can cause people to resort to unhealthy practices such as restrictive eating and excessive exercise. This can have a detrimental impact on their physical and emotional wellbeing.
“Besides anxiety and depression, some people that I see also develop conditions like eating disorders or body dysmorphic disorders, where they’re just not satisfied with their own body image, their body weight, or even the way they look, and they start to get very frustrated about it,” explains Dr Ng.
He elaborates on how conditions like eating disorders can result in greater health complications, such as malnutrition. Moreover, these unhealthy behaviours can further exacerbate any psychological problems an individual may have had to begin with.
Overall, celebrity culture seems to only promote a sense of dissatisfaction and inadequacy in how we look. However, there are still positive aspects to this phenomenon that makes our favourite celebrities worth the follow.
Celebrity Culture: A Supportive Influence?
Celebrities have the power to inspire and motivate society, with many of them using their platforms to advocate for issues such as mental health.
“There are a lot of celebrities out there who also talk about their own mental health struggles.”
“I think this is really important because it normalises the situation and destigmatises conversations about mental health, allowing people like us and our patients to really start talking about their own struggles.” observes Dr Ng.
In essence, celebrity culture has the potential to spread positivity and even inspire action, making the world a better place. The key is to leverage it responsibly so that we can minimise its harmful aspects and make the most of its benefits.
Balancing Celebrity Influence and Self-Acceptance
There are a few strategies we can adopt when it comes to managing the influence of celebrity culture on our body image.
Diversify Our Feed
On the topic of following celebrities on social media, Dr Ng has mentioned how oftentimes, when we see a specific portrayal of someone, “they tend to go on and on” in our feed. Therefore, it becomes extremely important to curate content that provides greater diversity and perspectives.
Tip: Consider engaging more with influencers and personalities that promote body positivity and self-acceptance.
Practice Mindfulness and Self-Compassion
Before you compare yourself with celebrity images you see online, remind yourself that they typically have access to personal trainers, dieticians and stylists.
Tip: Focus on appreciating your own unique qualities and prioritise self-care activities that make you feel confident and happy.
Reach Out to Others
If you find yourself overly upset or frustrated with what you see of celebrities, then it’s time to seek help.
“It doesn’t always have to be professional help,” Dr Ng elaborates. “You should reach out to people around you that you trust. It could be friends, could be family members, could be a teacher, could be a colleague.”
However, if your negative emotions are interfering with your daily life, do consult a mental health professional.
Ultimately, a healthy balance between an appreciation for a celebrity’s looks and life, and a more grounded sense of self is crucial in navigating the influence of celebrity culture on our body image. Embrace your uniqueness and individuality, and remember that true beauty comes from confidence and self-love.
