If seeing great bods make us envious, why do we pore over magazine articles that just make us feel sad?

I want Halle Berry’s arms.

Sigh. (I’m looking at my majorly-in-need-of-toning arms as I type this)

So why would I pore over a magazine with pics of Ms Berry if it only leaves me feeling dejected? 

Well, a new study published in Media Psychology has revealed why we still read beauty and health mags even though the super fit, gorgeous celebs may leave us feeling depressed: When accompanied with articles that promise we, too, can look like that, we’ll keep on reading.

(OK, yes, I suppose I should note that I’ve written these very types of articles…sorry!)

But when not accompanied by these how-to articles, we’ll tend to avoid looking at these envy-inducing pics. (BTW, these findings are with regard to people who are dissatisfied with their bodies btw–those people who are satisfied with their bods, their reading habits don’t fluctuate).

2 Comments March 15, 2011