How are body & beauty standards linked to mental health, and why is the pressure especially harmful for women and girls?
Body and beauty standards are deeply intertwined with our mental well-being. The intense pressure to conform to these standards has profound effects on both our physical and mental health. Women’s bodies are treated as the social currency in which we navigate the world, and we hold so much in our bodies–emotions, family history, experiences.
Women also experience different treatment depending on how much they conform to our culture’s body standards. These expectations start influencing us at a young age, with constant reminders for young girls to be conscious of their bodies. It is understandable to pursue our culture’s beauty standards. Society has taught us that conforming to them could lead to improved treatment from others.
However, the pursuit is exhausting, expensive, harmful, and often futile to meet that standard. In my work with clients, we explore longing for a “fix” yet acknowledging that “fixing” our body may not be the solution. We normalize our bodies changing. We practice respecting our bodies by nourishing it with enough food and the foods we want. We focus on finding safety in a body that doesn’t always feel safe in this culture. My hope is that creating these supportive spaces will create ripples in the community.
What types of wellness practices can help us create more loving & sustainable relationships with our health and bodies?
There’s a range of things to try with creating a more loving relationship with our health and bodies. The real challenge often lies in discovering the approach that resonates with you now and giving it a try. It can be helpful to have reminders or a person to check-in with as you build your practice.
A gentle way to begin is by consistently nourishing yourself through regular meals. For some of us, recognizing hunger cues might not come naturally or are easily dismissed. Sometimes I like to think of myself as a little kid that needs to be given regular snacks or I’ll have a meltdown. I try to envision my younger self–what does she need at this moment? Can I give her a snack? Am I talking to her critically? Over time, trust and safety erodes with our bodies–following a diet, pushing ourselves too hard with a workout, even being weighed at the doctor’s office. Checking-in with yourself, even your younger self, on what you need and what feels right to you can be a practice to build a sustainable relationship with your body.
Connect with Mia Donley
Instagram: @mia.the.rd
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mia-donley/
Website: miadonleynutrition.com
By: SeekHer Foundation – – https://seekher.mn.co/share/mGPZovyqM_XQMTgV?utm_source=manual
