The start of the week, talk of International Women’s Day, girl power and women supporting women swarmed our newsfeeds and started what we thought may have been a weeklong celebration of womanhood.
However unfortunately, what we have been faced with in the last 7 days, proves as a society, we still have a lot of work to do; with gender stereotypes, mental health stigma, with our actions and with our words.
As a collective, we can move forward continuing to support each other, and support ourselves through the language we use, connections we make and expectations we set.
One place to start could be by setting boundaries with what we consume online and in the media, as this can easily influence our thoughts and beliefs as well as lead to judgement and overwhelm when overconsumption takes place.
An example of this could be found in any magazine or newspaper at the moment with regard to weight stigma, our relationship with food and the idea that we constantly need to better ourselves in order to feel accepted.
The thought of being in a transition back to ‘normality’ seems to have come with a sudden sense of pressure to make a personal overnight transformation.
Headlines focusing on ‘How to shed those lockdown pounds’, or ‘Get your body summer ready’ are hard to avoid and unfortunately could lead to disappointment - when life gets in the way and these unrealistic goals we set ourselves do not go to plan.
When faced with these particular pressurising headlines, remind yourself that compassion is key; because nothing about our recent circumstances has been normal, chances are our diet and lifestyle choices won’t have been either. And yes, making space to re-establish healthy habits is important once the time feels right, however taking a more compassionate approach will encourage these healthy habits in a way and at a pace which suits our individual circumstances.
If you’re starting to feel the overwhelm from the consistent noise that surrounds us, consider:
A Social Clear Out
Unfollow those accounts or platforms that don’t serve you or make you feel guilt, judgment or not good enough. Is the information they share coming from a reliable source?
Mind Your Language
Think – language is everything! It’s so easy to use the common ‘one liners’ we are surrounded by in the media; however negative or judgemental language regarding personal choices can lead to feelings of shame and punishment.
Moving away from this type of talk allows us to be kinder to ourselves and others.
Speak Up
Continue to learn and retrieve information from trusted outlets whilst avoiding certain feeds and headlines which could heighten anxiety. Find the balance between staying informed and becoming overwhelmed.
Compassion is Key
Support yourself and those around you. When social connections are at an all time low, many turn to online platforms for community and friendship; remember we all have a responsibility – if you chose to share online, make kindness and compassion a priority.
Holistic Health Coach - Anna Whyte
The ‘Wellness with Anna’ philosophy focuses on taking a more balanced and holistic approach to health. Often, the tools needed to make a lasting change are already in your toolbox. I offer client led guidance in order to support the progress of an individual working to meet their personal wellness goals. I will not diagnose, treat or take responsibility for bringing about wellness change, but direct, listen and support development. We work together on a journey to make health a main priority, both physically and mentally.