Many youths fret about the way they look, about their face, hair, figure and physique. To make matters worse, a teenager’s appearance can change so rapidly that, according to one psychologist, youths often “feel like strangers in their own bodies.”

Body image is part of self-image. It can affect a person’s self-confidence and what he does and does not do in life. A healthy concern about your appearance makes good sense. However, when you become so self-conscious that you withdraw from others or feel bad about yourself, then such concern is no longer healthy.

Why Do You Think You Are Not Attractive?

Interestingly, distress over personal appearance is not always due to real physical defects. What then makes well-formed youths think they are not attractive?

1. Scrutiny of peers, due to the transition that take place in adolescence which affect the reorganization of the body. To therefore deal with the awkwardness of the new and changing body, most teenagers rely on the security of their peers, how tall, short, fat or thin you are not to mention your body shape can become a source of great anxiety.
2. When others get more attention than you. This is also a major cause. Seeing others getting more attention or when you are chided about your looks, you can easily begin to feel bad about yourself.
3. Influence of media. The pervasive influence of TV, books and movies. The communication media would have you believe that if you’re not a flawless-skinned beauty or a muscular “hunk” you might as well crawl into a hole somewhere – or at least forget about ever being popular or happy.

Look the Best

Sometimes people do have legitimate appearance problems. Of course, as a growing youth, your appearance is still changing. Time solves many such problems.

Others it does not. And they must live with the fact that their looks are, well, plain. You can, however, make the most of your looks.

Surgery is an expensive and risky way of correcting physical imperfections. Simple hygiene might just be what you need to enhance your attractiveness. Clean hair, face, hands, fingernails, white teeth, and pink gums might just do the trick. If you have problems with weight, a regimen of diet and exercise (perhaps under a doctor’s care) can do a lot to bring your weight under control.

With parent approval, you might also try experimenting with clothing and hairstyles that accentuate your physical assets and downplay your flaws. Choose colors that enhance your complexion and styles that flatter.

Yes, with effort and imagination, you can present a pleasant appearance – even if you are not naturally endowed with good looks.

A Need for Balance

While giving attention to how you look is important, be careful not to make your appearance the big thing in your life. The Bible talks less about the looks of Abraham, Mary or even Jesus. It obviously shows that God did not consider it important.

 Written by E Samuel [Ghana]