【Psychological Counselor, Himeka Nakamoto (formerly of Nogizaka46)】 Can you become beautiful through "推し活" (fandom activities)? The pitfalls and proper balance of "approval seeking" ＜Fandom Activities and Mental Health Vol. 2＞

Himeka Nakamoto is a former member of Nogizaka46 and currently works as a psychological counselor. In this series, she shares her unique perspective, having experienced being on the receiving end of support ("推される側") and also offering support ("推す側"), discussing the relationship between fandom activities ("推し活") and mental health. The theme for the second installment is "Can you become beautiful through fandom activities?" Through her own experiences, Nakamoto talks about the positive effects that supporting or being supported can bring to one's life, as well as the pitfalls of dependency and approval-seeking.

The theme of the second installment is, "Can you become beautiful through fandom activities?"

It seems that many people now have the experience of feeling that they have become more beautiful because of having a favorite (推し). Engaging in fandom activities can increase motivation for "beauty," leading to self-improvement and an enhancement of both mental and physical well-being. From a psychological perspective, this can be associated with several neurotransmitters known as "happiness hormones."

One of these happiness hormones is dopamine. It is released when experiencing emotions such as excitement or exhilaration from seeing one's favorite, or feeling joy when something good happens to them. Another hormone is oxytocin, which is released when one feels soothed or comforted by watching their favorite, or through interactions such as conversations with them.

When these neurotransmitters are released, it can lead to stress relief. This newfound energy encourages individuals to tackle various aspects of work and daily life with enthusiasm and vigor.

Furthermore, accumulated stress can lower the immune system's defenses, making one more susceptible to illnesses and affecting mental health. Therefore, for example, watching videos or streams of one's favorite at the end of a stressful day or before going to bed can uplift spirits and contribute to better sleep. By doing so, there is an expected boost in immune function.

In summary, it can be said that "healthy fandom activities are beneficial for both mental and physical well-being," and a "healthy mind and body contribute to creating beauty.

The Pitfalls of trying to become beautiful through fandom activities.

What you need to be careful about is that putting too much effort into "推し活" (fandom activities) can become a source of stress. This can manifest in various ways, such as reducing sleep due to "推し活," working too hard to meet your idol, and neglecting your own health. Ignoring your well-being not only accumulates stress but also weakens your immune system. When your physical health deteriorates, your mental well-being also declines.

Efforts to become beautiful driven solely by the desire for approval from your idol are highly risky. Excessive dieting or spending large amounts on beauty treatments might lead you to lose sight of your true self and become overly focused on your idol. Take a moment to reflect on whether you have become entirely consumed by your fandom.

Remember, it's crucial not to forget the foundation of prioritizing yourself while engaging in "推し活." Instead of pushing yourself solely to meet your idol, consider taking care of yourself first. Before thinking, "I have to become beautiful to meet my idol," think, "It would be enjoyable to meet my idol after becoming the best version of myself." It's important that your own desires and self-care take precedence over the need for approval. Enhancing self-esteem is much more valuable than seeking external validation.

Positive and negative experiences of becoming beautiful through being supported.

Reflecting on my own experiences, being noticed by others alone brings about a sense of tension. During my idol days, the desire to be seen by a wider audience and receive compliments became one of the motivations to enhance myself. Even in areas like diet, makeup, and exercise, where I might have thought "this much is enough" for my own sake, knowing that there were people watching motivated me to push a little harder.

However, the desire to continue efforts for personal enjoyment is positive, but feelings like "I want to lose a bit more weight, I want to be praised for being thin" can lead to unhealthy practices such as extreme dieting, disrupting the balance between beauty and health. Looking back, I realize that the effort during the period of being supported might have lacked a bit in terms of being "for myself." Approval-seeking tendencies can contribute to such overreaching.

When I look at photos from my idol days, it seems like I always had a similar expression. I remember creating expressions based on thoughts like, "Maybe fans like this kind of face?" Being captured by feelings like "I want to appear slim" or "I want to be seen as cute" may have overshadowed the question, "What do I want for myself?" during that time.

Taking care of oneself while striving for personal growth ultimately results in receiving praise from others.

How about now? For example, in the photos for this series, I had the opportunity to be photographed in outfits and makeup different from my usual appearance. The dresses with designs that convey the creator's intent, like art pieces, are something I didn't wear even during my idol days. It feels very refreshing.

Comparing the photos from my idol days, it seems that now I approach the shoots with a feeling of "This is who I am." The emphasis has shifted from "I want to be seen like this" to "I naturally express myself in this way." How people perceive it is up to them. Of course, it's nice if they think well of it. Perhaps this naturalness has become ingrained.

Nowadays, concerning beauty, I no longer feel the need to use very expensive or trendy products. It's enjoyable to find what suits my skin, and changing skincare routines with the seasons is also enjoyable. I go to the gym, but there's no longer that urgency of "I must lose weight" from my active days. I approach it with the mindset of "Let's build stamina" and "It's okay to sweat during exercise," which has proven to be more sustainable.

This is how I manage my own desire for approval. Taking care of myself while striving for personal growth. As a result, receiving praise from others. If this order is maintained, I believe both the one supporting and the one being supported will experience an elevation in their overall well-being, both physically and mentally.

.AdlL