Guest Author - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

A typical women’s magazine has a front cover blazing with flawless models and luring promises: lose weight, get a raise, enjoy better sex, improve your memory, sleep soundly, get and stay happy.

But what’s wrong with who you are right now? And what if you actually like your shape, personality, and job just the way they are right now?

In 2005, the British Journal of Psychology revealed a study reporting that even small amounts, as little as five minutes, of exposure to thin bodies can negatively affect body image. The perception of a “normal” body shape is affected by what people see: the more thin women you see – or muscular, tanned men – the more you’ll compare yourself to them and be found wanting. This negatively affects how you see yourself, and decreases your body image. Previously, it’s been found that watching mainstream television, reading popular magazines, and viewing Hollywood movies lowers body image and self-esteem.

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 – and yet they simultaneously claim to empower women by helping them become more beautiful, smart, and sexy. That seems contradictory, even destructive.

Maybe the real irony is that they have a market: us women. We buy the magazines and products because we do want to be more beautiful, smart, and sexy. And that’s fair and understandable; our society has standards and normal people want to live up to those standards. We have our own personal standards – I love feeling fit, smart, and attractive – and those magazines do have helpful tips!

So, what do you do? Isolating yourself from movies, tv, and magazines may not be a realistic option because you’d have to wear blinders at the grocery store check out and slam your eyes shut when you catch glimpses of bus shelters and billboards. But there are other ways…

Two tips:

1. Spend time on your self-perception and body image. There are many books, techniques, and yes, even magazines, that will help you increase your self-esteem – but you have to work at it. 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.

2. Choose what you read and view carefully. My favorite magazine is “O” because it encourages women to “be your best self” and usually provides inspiration and information. I definitely feel I’ve been empowered to follow my dreams from the articles and quotes 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?

In the end, it doesn’t matter what magazines are on the rack and who’s on television. What matters most is who you are – and you have the power to soar.

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