The Connection Between Body Image and Women’s Magazines
Here’s the connection between women’s magazines and body image: magazines intended to empower and educate women may, ironically, exacerbate more health and self-image problems than they solve. But don’t trash your favorite women’s magazines yet! Your perspective, attitude, and lifestyle packs more punch than all the magazines in the world.
Here are six ways to read women’s magazines without feeling bad about your size, shape, or personality. But first, a quip for healthy women:
“…perhaps the most important thing we can ever do in our lives is find a way to keep the wild - both the wild inside and the wild outside us - and tap into it.” - Anne Rivers Siddons, a bestselling author.
“Keeping the wild” is a great way to read women’s magazines without hurting your self-image…and here are several more tips. And hey, This is Who I Am: Our Beauty in All Shapes and Sizes by Roseanne Olson is all about accepting yourself - your size and shape - the way you are right now.
Body Image and Women’s Magazines
I’m not saying we should boycott women’s magazines. That would be absolutely hypocritical, as I write for some of them - and my professional goals include writing for many more women’s magazines! But, it’s important to be aware of how the media affects our body image.
6 Ways to Increase Your Body Image While Reading Body’s Magazines
1. Realize how your self-esteem is shaped. The perception of a “normal” body shape is affected by what people see: the more thin women you see - or even muscular, tanned men for that matter - the more you’ll compare yourself to them and be found wanting. This negatively affects how you see yourself, and decreases your body image. Past research shows that watching mainstream television, reading women’s magazines, and viewing Hollywood movies lowers body image and self-esteem.
2. Be aware of how cover models affect your body image. Girls who often read articles about weight loss and dieting are more likely to practice unhealthy eating habits such as starving or binge eating, according to research from the University of Minnesota. Photos of gorgeous, air-brushed models can lead to destructive comparisons and unhealthy activities in adult women, too. Even small amounts, as little as five minutes, of exposure to thin bodies can negatively affect body image.
3. See the irony! Your body image is affected because your perception of “normal” changes. The more you see slim beautiful models and actresses, the more you believe that’s what normal looks like. (The more you’re exposed to anything, the more normal it becomes.) It is ironic, almost comical, that women’s magazines are emblazoned with images of flawless perfection that real women could never obtain naturally, and yet these these magazines simultaneously claim to empower women by helping them become more beautiful, smart, and sexy. That seems contradictory, even destructive.
4. Don’t isolate yourself. Isolating yourself from movies, tv, and magazines isn’t a realistic option. You’d have to wear blinders at the grocery store check out and avert your head when you catch glimpses of bus shelters and billboards. Plus, you’d be losing out on the extremely valuable information, inspiration, and a feeling of connection that many women’s magazines offer.
5. Separate your body image from women’s magazines. How do you feel about your body? What do you love, what do you hate? Improving your self-image involves taking risks, accepting yourself, and realizing that life is so short, it’s a useless waste of time to focus on your appearance and weight. Instead, focus on being healthy, fit, and fulfilled. When your esteem is healthy and strong, you won’t be as negatively affected by who you see and what you hear. You’ll genuinely admire beauty and success because you’ll feel confident in your own self.
6. Choose your women’s magazines carefully. My favorite magazine is O because it encourages women to “be your best self” and offers tons of inspiration and information. I definitely feel empowered to follow my dreams from the articles and interviews in most issues of Oprah’s magazine. To choose magazines wisely, check how you feel when you look at the cover and read the contents. Are you inspired and empowered, or do you feel dowdy and dumb? If you feel bad about yourself, stay away from that magazine.
In the end, it doesn’t matter what magazines are on the rack and who’s on television. What matters most is becoming the best woman you can be. And - yay! - you have the power to change how you feel about yourself.
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