There are so many things in the world that we may admire or even get inspired by, but there’s one main thing we may want to fall in love with before we start noticing the beauty of other things. It’s our own reflection in the mirror. Among all the numerous recipes for conjuring up self-love within ourselves, psychologists advise us to never compare ourselves to others and stop caring about other people’s opinions. Actress and producer Lena Dunham knows a lot about cultivating love for her own body despite all the criticism she faced, and she happily shares her journey with us all.
Lena Dunham doesn’t accept the term “body positivity,” and here’s why.
Actress and writer Lena Dunham has recently added another string to her bow and collaborated with the brand 11 Honoré to create a plus-size clothing collection. But the very term “plus size” frustrates Lena, and so is the term “body positivity.” In one of her Instagram posts, she explains that she feels more “body tolerant” than “body positive.”
In her interview, Dunham said, “The thing that’s complicated about the body-positive movement is it can be for the privileged few who have a body that looks the way people want to feel positive. We want curvy bodies that look like Kim Kardashian has been up-sized slightly. We want big beautiful butts and big beautiful breasts and no cellulite and faces that look like you could smack them onto thin women.”
Dunham has a very special relationship with her own body.
Dunhams path to self-love started with a decade-long journey with endometriosis. Since she started her own fight against it, she has been candidly sharing how it influenced both her emotional health and her relationship with her own body image. In her Instagram post, she emotionally described how she fluctuated between loving her body and the opposite.
She wrote, “Ya know when you’re home alone, and you realize you’d be happier in a hot lil’ onesie than your ketchup and cat food stained pajamas? And it’s not about a boy or a photo shoot or a weight loss before-and-after, it’s just for the feeling of glee you get from dressing your one and only corporeal form in pleasing fabrics, the unique pleasure of admiring the twists and turns of the body that loves the heck out of you even when you don’t love it.”
Dunham is powerfully addressing all people who come to her page with criticism.
In 2021, Dunham tied the knot with musician Luis Felber. It was such a darling event for her that she wore 3 wedding dresses to marry her love and shared the photos on her Instagram. However, she started getting some “gnarly” comments in her feed from people who commented on her body and appearance. The actress didn’t hesitate for a minute to address them with a powerful message.
She wrote, “One narrative I take issue with, largely because it’s a story I don’t want other women, other people, to get lodged in their heads, is that I should somehow be criticized because my body has changed since I was last on television. […] But lastly, when will we learn to stop equating thinness with health/happiness?”
Dunham’s powerful message can be echoed in the hearts of many.
For all people who have ever hesitated about embracing their body image, Dunham has some simple yet wise advice. She says, “Of course weight loss can be the result of positive change in habits, but guess what? So can weight gain. The pics I’m being compared to are from when I was with an undiagnosed illness. In the last 4 years, I’ve begun my life as someone who aspires toward health and not just achievement.
These changes have allowed me to be the kind of sister/friend/daughter that I want to be and yes — meet my husband (who, by the way, doesn’t recognize me in those old photos because he sees how dimmed my light was). I say this for any other person whose appearance has been changed with time, illness, or circumstance — it’s okay to live in your present body without treating it as transitional. I am, and I’m really enjoying it. Love you all.”
Do you find Lena Dunham’s example inspiring? What do you love the most about your appearance?
Preview photo credit Steve Granitz / WireImage / Getty Images, lenadunham / Instagram
The Incredible Benefits of Sleeping on Your Left Side
Did you know that the way you sleep can have a big impact on your health? While there are many sleeping positions to choose from, sleeping on your left side has been found to offer a multitude of health benefits. In this article, we will explore how this specific sleeping position can positively affect your overall well-being.
Prevents Nighttime Heartburn
If you suffer from acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleeping on your left side can be very beneficial. This position helps to keep the stomach below the esophagus, reducing the risk of acid flowing back into the esophagus and causing heartburn. Say goodbye to uncomfortable nights!
Improves Spleen Function
The spleen, an essential part of your lymphatic system, is located on the left side of your body. Sleeping on your left side can assist the spleen in functioning more effectively by promoting increased blood flow. This improved blood flow helps the spleen filter impurities and supports your overall immune system. Take care of your health from the inside out!
Helps Liver Detoxification
Since the liver is on the right side of your body, sleeping on your right side can potentially lead to congestion. However, opting to sleep on your left side can promote better neutralization and processing of toxins and substances by the liver. By allowing the liver to work efficiently, sleeping on your left side contributes to better overall detoxification. Give your liver the support it needs!
Enhances Lymphatic System Drainage
The lymphatic system is responsible for eliminating toxins from your body. Sleeping on your left side can benefit the lymphatic system by facilitating more effective drainage into the thoracic duct located on the left side of your body. This helps to remove toxins and supports your immune system by utilizing escaped proteins from cells. Let your body detoxify while you sleep!
Beneficial for Pregnant Women
For expectant mothers, sleeping on the left side offers several advantages, especially in the last trimester. It helps alleviate pressure on the liver, enhances blood circulation, and supports normal heart function. Additionally, sleeping on the left side aids in the efficient movement of waste from the small to the large intestine, utilizing gravity to stimulate regular bowel movements and enhance waste elimination. Support yourself and your baby during pregnancy!
Aids in Heart Function
Your heart plays a crucial role in pumping blood throughout your body. Sleeping on your left side can facilitate heart function during sleep because the left side of the heart pumps blood towards the body. This position allows the circulatory system to harness gravity, aiding in arterial circulation and reducing the workload on your heart. Take care of your heart while you sleep!
Promotes Healthy Bowel Movement
The ileocecal valve, which connects the large and small intestines, is located on the left side of your body. By sleeping on your left side, you can promote the seamless movement of waste from the small to the large intestine. Gravity assists in this process, contributing to regular bowel movements and aiding waste elimination. Support your digestive system!
Sleeping on your left side may take some getting used to if you’re accustomed to sleeping in a different position. However, with persistence and habit formation, you can enjoy the numerous health benefits associated with this sleeping position. Try sleeping on your left side and enhance your overall health and well-being. Your body will thank you!
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