Understanding the Self

Understanding the Physical Self Exploring the intricacies of the human body, its systems, our
senses shape our perception of the world around us is cultivating a deeper understanding of our
physical selves.

THE PHYSICAL SELF Refers to the body that includes basic parts such as the head, neck, arms,
and legs. Made up of other organs such as the brain, heart, lungs, stomach, intestines and
muscles.

Your Body's Systems and Functions

Cardiovascular System Responsible for circulating blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the
body.

Respiratory System Facilitates the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, enabling respiration.

Digestive System Breaks down food, extracts nutrients, and eliminates waste from the body

The Five Senses and Perception

Sight Enables us to perceive color, shape, and movement in our environment.

Sound Allows us to interpret and understand the auditory world around us.

Touch Provides tactile feedback and a sense of texture, temperature, and pressure.

Taste Enables us to identify and appreciate the flavors of the foods we consume.

The body performs its functions least well during (1) infancy and (2) Old age.

Physical efficiency generally peaks in

early adulthood and declines into middle
age According to William James, “The
self is the sum total of all that man can
call his, which includes his body, family
and reputation, also his clothes and his
house. ” Physical Self is the concrete or
tangible aspect or dimension of the
person which is primarily observed and
examined through the body.
1. William James – states that the body is the initial source of sensation and necessary for
the origin and maintenance of personality
2. Erik Erickson – states that experience is anchored in the ground plan of the body.
3. Sigmund Freud – states that the physical body is the core of human experiences.
4. Maurice Marleau-Ponty – states that the body will be at the center of human existence.
5. Ulrich Beck and Anthony Giddens – states that the body is the only fix-point of “self-
identity

THE IMPACT OF CULTURE ON BODY IMAGE AND SELF-ESTEEM: THE

IMPORTANCE OF BEAUTY
Standards of beauty and appearance are the product of a diverse mix of cultural and
historical influences.
• Norms of beauty and appearance are tied to ideals of appearance and hard work.
• Physical appearance is dealt with great importance as of today.
• Some people have good fortune to possess features of that adhere to standardized
ideals of beauty. However, many individuals are dissatisfied with their physical
attributes that they seek to alter them through surgical means.
• Plastic Surgery remains most popular among women, maintaining beautiful bodies
through plastic surgery procedures. Since females in particular receive a massive
amount of societal pressure to conform to conventional beauty of standards.

Body image – refers to how individuals perceive, think, and feel about their body and
physical appearance - can be seen as both internal (personal) and external (social).
Along with the concept of body image is the concept of beauty.

Appearance – refers to everything about a person that others can observe such as
height, weight, skin color, clothes, and hairstyle. - through appearances, people show
others the kind of person they are. (outward look or aspect of yourself)
 WE ARE IN CULTURE IN WHICH BEAUTY IS JUDGED BY NUMBERS. WE EVEN
PERCEIVE PROPORTIONAL BODIES TO BE HEALTHIER.

Importance of Physical Health

1. Disease Prevention Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of chronic
conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
2. Improved Mental Health Physical activity and selfcare can positively impact mood,
cognition, and overall well-being.
3. Enhanced Energy A fit body with proper nutrition and sleep can provide more energy
and vitality

The Role of Exercise and Nutrition

1. 1 Cardiovascular Fitness Engaging in regular aerobic activities like walking, running,
or cycling can improve heart health.
2. 2 Strength Training Lifting weights or performing bodyweight exercises can build
muscle, increase bone density, and boost metabolism.
3. 3 Balanced Nutrition Consuming a diet rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods provide
the necessary fuel for the body to thrive.
 Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

Stress Management- Incorporating stress-reducing activities like yoga, meditation, or deep

breathing can support overall well-being.

Quality Sleep -Establishing a consistent sleep routine and practicing good sleep hygiene is
crucial for physical and mental restoration.

Hydration and Nutrition -Drinking enough water and fueling the body with a balanced,
nutrient-rich diet is essential for optimal health.

The Connection Between Mind and Body

Mental Well-being-A healthy mindset can positively influence physical health and overall
quality of life.

Physical Activity -Regular exercise and movement can boost mood, cognitive function, and
emotional resilience.

Holistic Approach - Integrating both mental and physical practices can create a more balanced
and fulfilling way of life.

Accepting and Embracing Your Physical self

Self-Love and Appreciation -Cultivating a positive self-image and celebrating your physical
uniqueness is essential for overall well-being.

Em bracing diversity -Recognizing and respecting the diverse range of human bodies and
abilities promotes a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Body Positivity -Rejecting societal pressures and embracing all body types can lead to greater
self-confidence and inner peace.

Physical Beauty and its Effect on Self-esteem

Physical appearance can have a profound impact on an individual's self-esteem and overall well-
being. The societal emphasis on physical attractiveness often leads to feelings of inadequacy,
especially among young people, and can significantly influence their confidence and self-
perception.

Defining Physical Beauty and Self-Esteem

1. 1 Physical Beauty Culturally-defined standards of physical attractiveness, including features

like symmetry, clear skin, and a toned physique.
2. 2 Self-Esteem An individual's overall sense of self-worth and confidence, influenced by both
internal and external factors.
The Societal Pressure on Physical Appearance

Unrealistic Standards -Media and social pressure to conform to narrow, often unattainable,
ideals of physical beauty.
Discrimination -People, especially women, often face prejudice and bias based on their
physical appearance.
Societal Norms- The belief that physical attractiveness is equated with success, popularity,
and social status.

The Role of Media and social media

Airbrushed Images- The prevalence of heavily edited and filtered photos on social media
creates unrealistic beauty standards.
Celebrity Worship- The idolization of celebrities and their perceived physical perfection can
lead to feelings of inadequacy.
Comparison Culture- social media encourages a constant comparison of one's appearance
to others, often leading to low self-esteem.

The Psychological Impact of Physical Attractiveness

1. Body Image Issues Negative perceptions of one's own physical appearance can lead to body
dysmorphia and eating disorders.
2. Decreased Self-Confidence Feeling unattractive or not meeting societal beauty standards
can significantly undermine self-confidence and self-worth.
3. Mental Health Challenges The psychological stress of constantly trying to achieve an
unattainable beauty ideal can contribute to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

The Relationship between Physical Beauty and Self-Confidence

• Self- acceptance- Embracing one's unique physical features and focusing on inner qualities
can boost self-confidence.
• Empowerment Feeling comfortable in one's own skin and not defining self-worth by
physical appearance.
• Self-Esteem- Developing a positive self-image and valuing one's inherent worth beyond
physical attributes
 Strategies for Developing Healthy Self-Esteem

• Self-Reflection- Identifying and challenging negative self-talk and embracing one's unique
strengths and qualities.
• Mindfulness- Practicing self-compassion and being present in the moment, rather than
comparing oneself to others.
• Positive Affirmations- Repeating uplifting statements to counter negative beliefs and foster
a more positive self-image.

Embracing Inner Beauty and and Self-Acceptance

1. Redefine Beauty- Challenging societal norms and embracing a more inclusive and diverse
definition of physical beauty.
2. Focus on Strengths- Shifting the focus from physical appearance to one's talents, skills, and
unique qualities.
3. Self-Love- Cultivating self-acceptance, self-compassion, and a deep appreciation for one's
inherent worth.

THE CONCEPT OF SELF-ESTEEM

• Self-Esteem levels at the extreme high and low ends of the spectrum can be harmful, so
ideally, it’s best to strike balance somewhere in the middle.
• In Psychology, the term self-esteem is used to describe a person’s overall sense of self-worth
or personal value. In other words, it is how much you appreciate and like yourself. Self-
esteem is often seen as a personality trait which tends to be stable and enduring.
• Self-esteem can involve a variety of beliefs about yourself, such as the appraisal of your own
appearance, beliefs, emotions, and behaviors.
• Maslow – he suggested that people need both esteem from other people as well as inner
self-respect. Both of these needs must be fulfilled in order for an individual to grow as a
person and achieve self-actualization. Self-esteem is considered as one of the basic human
motivations.
• Too much self-love results in irritating sense of entitlement in an inability to learn from
failures. It can also be a sign of clinical narcissism which is a personality disorder.

DEVELOPING SELF ESTEEM

You need to develop a positive body image which involves:

A. Understanding that healthy, attractive bodies come in many shapes and sizes;
B. Physical appearance says very little about are character or value as a person;
C. How we get to this point of acceptance often depends on our individual development and
self- acceptance.

To get to that all important point of balance, there are few steps we can take:

A. Talk back to the media and speak our dissatisfaction with the focus on appearance;
B. De-emphasize numbers as pounds, kilograms or inches, feet and meters on the scale; they
don’t tell us anything meaningful about the body as a whole or our health;
C. Stop comparing ourselves with others and remember that each one is unique;
D. We need to appreciate and enjoy our bodies in our uniqueness of what we have;
E. Spend time with people who have a healthy relationship with food, activity and their
bodies;
F. Question the degree to which the self-esteem depends on our appearance because basing
our happiness on how we look is likely to lead us to failure and frustration, and may
therefore prevent us from finding true happiness;
G. Broaden our perspective about health and beauty by reading about the body image cultural
variances, or media influence.
H. Recognize that size prejudice is form of discrimination, as shape and size are not indicators
of character, morality intelligence, or success;
I. Approach health and well-being from a firm and socially engaging and put importance on a
healthy lifestyle engaging perspective and put importance on a healthy lifestyle and;
J. Keep in mind that the body, in whatever shape or size is good and sacred, having been
created in the image and likeness of God. Such body deserves love and respect.