Body shaming is a form of behavior commenting on someone’s physical appearance or comparing it with other people. Sometimes, comments about the physical sound like pleasantries or a form of concern.
However, not everyone can accept these words as something good. What’s more, if body-shaming remarks are made in front of many people or in a mocking tone, this can affect the mental health of the recipient of the comment.
What to do when receiving body shaming behavior ?
Affected by Body Shaming, Is It Better To Shut Up or Respond?
Gracia Ivonika, M.Psi., Psychologist , said that body shaming can have a negative impact on one’s self-esteem or self- confidence. However, it all depends on how the person concerned deals with the body shaming .
According to Gracia, sometimes body shaming perpetrators may not realize that their words can hurt other people’s hearts. Therefore, it is legal when people who get body shaming respond to it.
However, still respond to the perpetrators of body shaming in a wise way. That is, do not fight back by mocking or cursing with harsh words.
“It’s okay to respond, for example ‘Sorry, but I’m not comfortable with what you just said .’ Or say ‘Is it okay if I don’t talk like that tomorrow, because I don’t like it’, like that,” Gracia gave an example.
There is nothing wrong with giving a warning to the perpetrators of body shaming , either directly or on social media. If the attitude of the perpetrator does not change, it is better to stay away from that person.
Do not let you feel insecure or stressed because of body shaming treatment . If that happens, try telling your parents, friends, or other trusted people. That’s better than keeping your anger in check.
Back to Love Yourself
According to Ikhsan Bella Persada, M.Psi., Psychologist , if body shaming affects self-esteem , here are some ways to overcome it so that confidence returns:
1. Do Self-Love
Launching Healthline, people who receive ridicule related to their physique may not feel confident to look in the mirror or even blame themselves in front of the mirror.
Instead, what you need to do is look at yourself in the mirror. Then, start saying nice things about yourself as a form of self-love .
In addition, you can also put some notes with positive things about yourself in the mirror as a reminder to feel confident. By building self-love , your relationship with yourself becomes better in a positive way.
2. Try to Realize Weaknesses and Strengths
According to psychologist Ikhsan, when you receive physical ridicule, try to look back at what your strengths and weaknesses are.
Then, realize that every human being has flaws. However, don’t let those flaws make you weak or worthy of humiliation.
“When someone is body shaming , we know that we also have advantages. So, the talk can’t bring you down. On the other hand, you can show them the skills or abilities they have,” said Ikhsan.
3. Expand Friendship
Find friends who can appreciate you for who you are, not those who make you not who you are. Find a trusted friend to talk to to get someone else’s point of view on your self-image.
“Expand the circle of friends so that we can recognize various perspectives about beauty or good looks itself. Because, beauty or good looks is not only physical, “explained Ikhsan.
4. Use Body Shaming Comments as Constructive Triggers
According to Ikhsan, the best way to deal with body shaming is to think of those words as triggers to get better.
For example, if a friend comments “ How come you are fat ?” try to reflect on the conversation. Ask people you trust and ask for feedback on these comments.
If indeed your friend agrees with this, try to take the positive side. For example, those words can remind you to have a healthier lifestyle.
“We exercise and eat healthy food for a healthier life. If we are overweight , we are worried that other health problems will arise. So, change that mindset . Because exercising and eating healthy food is a form of self-love too,” said Ikhsan.
That’s the right way to deal with body shaming that you can apply. If you find it difficult to deal with feelings due to body shaming , immediately seek professional help such as a psychologist.