Here’s some news that will probably surprise you: 95 percent of males have reported being body-shamed. Most folks may assume women are the primary target of this scourge. But it’s far more common and insidious than we’re led to believe. Certainly, the rise of social media and smartphones is playing a role in the uptick.
Body shaming can be perceived as “harmless” joking or serious bullying, but, generally speaking, it occurs whenever someone specifically insults another person based on their body shape, size, ability, etc. It has the potential to affect anyone of any age, race, sex, or class and can happen in person or online.
You Can Body Shame Yourself, Too
In an age of AI and deep fakes, we have trouble discerning reality from fantasy. Our ever-increasing reliance on web-based approval is often enough to create shame about our appearance. Male or female, we compare ourselves to false images of what looks “good.” Thus, even without external shaming, we can fall into this pattern via our own internal monologue.
In either case, men’s body shaming is a genuine problem, and it manifests in many ways.
Men’s Body-Shaming Is Real and Harmful
Here are just a few of the common ways men feel ashamed about their bodies:
- Height
- Weight
- Seeing oneself as either “fat” or “skinny”
- Not being muscular or defined enough
- Muscle dysmorphia
- Skin color
- Too little hair on their heads
- Too much hair on their bodies
- Skin problems
- Genital size
- Wrinkles and other signs of aging
Body shaming can cause men to spiral into some serious health issues, e.g. anxiety, depression, eating disorders, poor self-esteem, body dysmorphic disorder, and body image disturbance.
Here’s How to Cope
Check Your Mental Diet
What are you consuming on social media and elsewhere? Virtually everyone has toxic people and toxic content you could cut out of their lives. So, if you have social media profiles, take control of them. Some ideas:
- Carefully curate which pages and people you follow
- Report cyberbullying whenever and wherever you encounter it
- Reduce the amount of time you spend online
- Make healthy connections with people IRL
Get Acquainted with Body Positivity
Yes, “body positivity” is currently a clickbait catchphrase that can trigger conflict. But it is so much more. Put aside politics and embrace the concept as a powerful way to enhance your mental and physical well-being. Get started with:
- Rejecting perfectionism
- Making changes in your appearance solely because it is what YOU want
- Practice walking and moving with confidence
- Surround yourself with people who live life respectfully
- Little by little, get comfortable with who you are and what you look like
Good Health Looks Different for Different People
Body positivity is not the same as denial. You might be at a point where you need to do more exercise or be more careful about your diet — purely for health reasons. Work with certified experts to learn more about working with your body to live a life of vibrant health.
This is not a license to become obsessed or to conform to societal expectations. You’re practicing self-love when you take responsibility for your own health. It’s a fine line to walk. You want to be the sole arbiter of what “looking good” means to you. At the same time, there are standard health protocols that should be followed. Be patient during this learning process.
Therapy Is Another Self-Loving Choice
It can be tricky for men to talk about all the emotions surrounding body shame. Connecting with a skilled professional is a proven path toward making the healthiest choices for yourself. You do not have to suffer in silence. We are happy to offer a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation. Our locations for men’s counseling are located throughout the valley with counseling centers located in Phoenix, Anthem, Scottsdale and online in Arizona. You can start your therapy journey with Crossroads Counseling by following these simple steps:
- Contact Crossroads Counseling for a complimentary 20-minute phone consult
- Meet with a therapist that specializes in working with men
- Start improving self-esteem and body image
Feel free to learn more about our practice by visiting our about page, FAQ, and blog, or read more about our staff members to start finding your best therapeutic fit! or, call us at 623-680-3486, text 623-688-5115, or email info@crossroadsfcc.com for more information!
