Body Confidence Basics
Everyone feels self-conscious at times, particularly when it comes to their body. Whether we’re at school, scrolling through social media, or watching our favourite film or TV programme, we see images of ‘perfect’ bodies - often thin, white, fully able, clear-skinned, and conforming to society’s ideas about gender. The list of ‘perfect’ or ‘ideal’ features goes on! It can be exhausting and soul-destroying to try to fit into the appearance ideals that are out there.
With lots of focus on our appearance, we can often forget that we are more than our bodies - we have amazing qualities, interests, skills, and relationships that make us US! Professor Phillippa Diedrichs’s The Body Confidence Book aims to help us focus on respecting and appreciating our whole selves, as well as rejecting appearance ideals and comparisons. She writes in a clear and helpful way, with her words illustrated brilliantly by Naomi Wilkinson.
For some people, it may be hard to embrace the idea of ‘body confidence’ straight away, which Diedrichs defines as ‘a term used to describe positive body image.’ She encourages people to start with a more realistic goal of ‘body respect’ - ‘when we care about and look after our bodies, irrespective of whether we like how they look or how they change as we grow.’ This focuses on understanding value - that our bodies have value and worth beyond what they look like!
Diedrichs also points out that what the ‘ideal body’ looks like has changed over time, and is different in different countries and cultures. She encourages us to be aware of and to challenge appearance ideals for several reasons:
She points out that scientific research proves that striving to look like society’s ideals actually damages our body confidence.
She adds that society’s body ideals often promote injustice. She says ‘Appearance ideals reinforce racism, classism, transphobia and sexism, which are all forms of prejudice and discrimination.’
Diedrichs also states that body ideals are often created to sell things: skin lighteners; anti-aging creams; Botox or fillers for example. She writes ‘To keep making money, appearance ideals will continue to change, creating opportunities for new products and sales.’
So what can we do about body image, appearance ideals, and body confidence? Diedrichs’s book is full of good strategies and tips. She bases them on some key things that we can all try:
Caring for your body in a healthy way, recognising that healthy looks different for everyone.
Avoiding comparison, body talk, and negative social media trends.
Arming yourself with knowledge about your body and about strategies to challenge negative body messages in your friendship groups, schools, and local area.
Although it can feel like a huge mountain to climb, having body confidence is something we can and should all work towards. We are worth it!
Professor Phillippa Diedrichs works with a variety of organisations and brands to challenge beauty and gender norms. Follow her on Instagram.