It’s often been said that first impressions are important…that people are quick to assess and make judgements…that most people will accept another person on face value…that a brief encounter and a quick physical assessment are more than often all that’s needed to formulate an opinion on the worth of an individual. That what you see is what you get.
Despite the fact that in our heads we know that to be wrong, our hearts push us in an altogether different direction. As a nation we are obsessed with what is reflected when we look in the mirror. We want what the world sees to match an artificial standard; fit an acceptable norm. And we’re prepared to pursue that at any cost.
Latest available figures from 2015 show Australians spend $8.5 billion on gym memberships, sports equipment and the latest fitness trends. There’s no breakdown on the spend on narcissism compared to the spend on necessity but it’s easy to see that the pursuit of approval and acceptance is a costly business.
While we are ever-willing to put our hands into our pockets when it comes to the concept of physical wellbeing, there’s no such enthusiasm when it comes to our mental health. We’re prepared to spend on that part of us the rest of the world can see but apparently lack motivation when it comes to that part of us we can keep hidden. And that’s not healthy.
The link between mental and physical health, the mind and the body, is well documented. What’s going on in our heads can manifest itself in illness and physical suffering. Psychosomatic medicine is playing an increasingly important role in the world around us.
We should put more time, money and resources into strengthening our mental strength and function and concern ourselves less about impressing our peers with our physicality. After all we have to live with ourselves before we can live with other people.
Gary Bentley Counselling 