What to do if your happiness depends on your physical appearance, according to a psychologist

In today’s society, physical appearance has acquired significant relevance, influencing self-esteem and personal perception, however, it could be problematic.

For many people, happiness and self-confidence are closely linked to how they look. However, focusing our happiness solely on physical appearance can be problematic and lead to constant dissatisfaction.

Next, we explore, alongside psychology graduate Javier Romero, how to manage this dependency and find a more sustainable happiness.

We live in an era dominated by social media and mass media, which often promote unrealistic beauty standards. retouched images and the perfect body ideals may create undue pressure to comply with certain aesthetic canons.

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A difficult but satisfying path

It is crucial to be aware of this influence and learn to question and criticize these standards. To decouple our happiness from physical appearance, It is essential to develop a healthy self-image. This implies:

• Accept our reality: Accepting that we are not beautiful people can be liberating. The key is to develop high self-esteem and a realistic self-image. Happiness has little to do with physical appearance and more to do with how we feel about ourselves.

• Fight to change our physique: It is legitimate and healthy to want to be the most attractive version of ourselves, as long as it does not become an obsession. Beauty and health should go hand in hand, but it is vital to avoid falling into the traps of marketing and the beauty industry, which often sell the false promise of happiness through aesthetic products and procedures.

• Beauty and health: Taking care of our physical health is essential. Adopting healthy eating habits and exercising regularly are fundamental. However, we must be cautious about fad diets and unhealthy practices that promote extreme thinness.

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Happiness is a fundamental factor in both mental and physical health, as both are closely related.

• Body and face: Correcting certain physical aspects that make us feel self-conscious can be healthy, but it is important to avoid addiction to these procedures, such as: increasing muscle mass, whitening teeth, reducing or enlarging the breast, straightening the nose.

• Eternal youth: Youth has become a highly valued asset in our society. It is essential to recognize that beauty and youth are not synonymous and that aging is a natural process that should not be a cause for shame.

• Beauty and self-esteem: True happiness comes from basing our self-esteem on our behavior, our relationships, and being coherent and respectful people, both with others and with ourselves.

Physical beauty should not be the cornerstone of our happiness. By focusing on deeper, more meaningful aspects of our identity and well-being, we can build strong self-esteem and find lasting happiness.

Being a happy person depends more on how we treat ourselves and others than on how we see ourselves in the mirror.