We live in the age of Instagram pictures and aesthetically pleasing VGos. This means that as a social media influencer or someone who wants a successful social media account, you must always look the part.
The part is beautiful according to society’s standards; it may be having flawless skin or being a certain weight. Whatever it is, it means that you are always constantly checking yourself, either in the mirror or watching your weight to ensure it never exceeds that desired point.
Source: Jacy Erin
While keeping fit or having healthy skin is fine, after all, there is no crime in looking good. It becomes a problem when your checks or observations become too habitual; one might even call it obsessive.
It may not seem like it at first, but when you constantly or compulsively check on your appearance, weight, body form or shape, you may likely have a body-checking disorder.
How to spot a body-checking disorder
Is this the first time hearing of this? Well, yes, body checking is a disorder, but only when it becomes compulsive. It becomes a disorder when;
- You find yourself in a constant state of anxiety over your looks or weight, which makes you lose your concentration.
- It encourages you to limit your food intake, thereby coursing a food disorder, e.g., anorexia
- When you only feel comfortable in baggier clothes, or that isolates your body.
- You stare at your body for hours on end, taking up a lot of your time.
- Lives you in constant fear and anxiety, thereby creating problems in your social life
Body checking generally makes you feel unsatisfied with yourself; it gives you a feeling of deep unhappiness and could even lead to depression. Its ramifications are boundless as it can cause a lot of health concerns, both physiologically and mentally.
How to stop body-checking
Seeing as body checking can deteriorate your health, the best thing to do would be to nip it in the bud before it gets too late. A few ways you could stop body-checking are;
- Count the number of times you check yourself in the mirror or on the measuring scale in a day. You could reduce this number. Set a target number, divide the current number by two and reduce it every week or month. You could get a friend or family member to help you keep to your limit.
- Figure out what triggers you. Why do you keep checking yourself in the mirror? Is it someone you see? Does the person make odd comments about you? If so, you should stay away from the person. If the person is an influencer on social media, you may have to stay away from the person’s page entirely.
- Stay away from Social media entirely. Admittedly, social media purports certain beauty standards that one may consider unattainable or unrealistic. There are so many filtered and edited pictures of surgically enhanced bodies. They may make your body checking even worse. Staying away from social media is a good way to curb body-checking impulses.
Conclusion
Body checking is a compulsive behavior that should be treated on time to prevent complications that may occur to mental and physiological health.
Disclaimer: This article was not written by a health professional. If you believe any of the symptoms mentioned in this article refer to you, please visit a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
