Body Image Issues
Women, Sex, Food, and body image A deep look at body image issues: How is the media affecting the cultural image of body and self esteem?
I think at some point in a women’s life she shockingly comes to a realization that a lot of time, energy, and money is spent on grooming, primping, sculpting her body for the male gaze.
Somehow throughout our western culture we have also come to associate food and sex. The less we eat the skinnier we are the more appealing or sexy we appear to the opposite sex. Food and sexuality are inexhaustibly linked. Body Image Issues When looking on the internet to discover more about body image issues most of the sites are geared towards teens and their preoccupation with this cultural ill. They tend to act out in more extreme ways with their food in eating disorders, bulimia, and anorexia so therefore attract more focus.
However, I truly believe the teens are merely a reflection of a cultural issue; it begins in young adulthood but most definitely does not end there.
It becomes more subtle less intrusive to life but without a doubt still plaguing and present as women enter adulthood, marriage, and motherhood. It appears in more subtle unrecognizable ways such as, lack of intimacy with partners, inappropriate bonding with children. Trouble aging gracefully, plastic surgeries, procedures etc. Ongoing dieting, diet pills, yo yo dieting, excessive exercise, inappropriate goals as body matures, starving, binging, digestion issues, and health concerns appearing in all kinds of diseases throughout the body.
Body image and Cultural Questions As we first diagnose and then become aware of this issue the next question is how does it affect us culturally and how do we even begin to address this mammoth sized cultural issue before it destroys us?
With this said let’s look at body image as a political and ethical issue and how it correlates to such important topics as health care, global warming, over-consumption i.e. economy crisis. Is this far-fetched? I think not.
Think about the simple notion that you cannot help others unless you help yourself first, you cannot love another unless you are fully self-loved, and you cannot give unless you have money in your pocket. Well I feel that you cannot care for the planet, your spending, or your own health unless you learn how to appreciate, listen, and feel into the intelligence of your own body.
I also feel that the pollution in our environment and in our world is an out picturing of our inner pollution of self-disdain, judgment, and self-flagellation. The outer reflection of starvation in many third world countries is similarly an outward reflection of our own inner spiritual starvation and lack of meaning in our lives. The obese in our country are the starving: starving for minerals, for purpose, for meaning, binging on food with no substance, filling a black whole of lack, pain, and disassociation. The healing opportunity inwardly, personally and culturally around body image is huge.
Disassociation from the body creates confusion, misalignment, dis-ease in our bodies, environment, culture and personal lives.
Coming into the body wisdom is healing and can be the first step in humanities ability to care for others, our planet, and our children.
This step feels so simple and unadorned that it can be brushed aside as meaningless. What comes to mind is the similar philosophy of coming into the NOW. So uncomplicated yet when confronted with all the today and tomorrow’s 'to do' list it feels uneventful.
To come into the body and to learn your own personal body wisdom is life-altering. Feeling into the power of your body’s depth and intelligence connects you to your inner health and natural glow. It feeds into every area of your personal, professional, and communal life. As we heal our bodies from the inside out we step into a depth of personal discovery that can lead to a re-evaluation of dieting, of aging, and of death.
Exercises to come into alignment with body. 1. Ask yourself-How do I feel about my body? 2. Am I willing to sacrifice anything for its health? 3. Am I willing to put it down criticize it for any reason? 4. Does my body guide my health or am I run by immediate gratification, control, perfection? 5. What steps can I take today to regain my body wisdom, connection, vitality?
Inspiring the body to health is much more profound than jumping on the next diet fad. It is a deep and gratifying exploration of sensuality, pleasure, depth, sensitivity, and personal reflection.
Take the time today to feel your body. Listen to its whispers. Get to know its desires, concerns and calls for the future. See all symptoms as a message from a deeper source of wisdom asking you to pay attention. Know that your body knows more about its own health, diet, and well-being than ANY MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL!!
Hear the call now to listen to the body. Stop and know that you are your own expert on health and vitality- beauty is your natural birth right.
I encourage you to feel into the truth of the celebration. Take time to feel pleasure, enjoy the family, celebrate the lights, love your neighbor, stretch, indulge joyfully, kiss your cat, walk in the chill, sit by the fire, listen to classical music, taste the flavors, and dance like a rock star!
For questions feel free to email Divine Nutrition wellness expert Rainna at with questions Divine Nutrition Wellness Coach |
