Guest Author - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Yoga and your body
According to the Psychology of Women Quarterly, women who practice yoga report greater satisfaction with their physical appearance, less self-objectification, and fewer struggles with eating disorders than those who don’t. Yoga may heighten sensitivity to body sensations and encourage attention to body feedback. And, it may encourage less preoccupation with physical appearance, more positive body views, and healthier eating habits. On the other hand, more aerobic activity was associated with higher amounts of disordered eating. The focus on the mind-body connection may be conducive to a healthier body image.

Thinking you exercised as good as actually exercising?
Harvard University Psychologist Ellen Langer found that many exercise benefits are due to the placebo affect. The researchers studied 84 female housekeepers from seven hotels; approximately half the women were told that their work was enough to meet the requirements for a healthy, active lifestyle while the other half weren’t told anything. After a month, the first group lost an average of two pounds, lowered their blood pressure, and were significantly healthier as indicated by their body-mass index (BMI) than the second group. Langer concluded that health is significantly affected by mind set. (Note that the surgeon general recommends 30 minutes of exercise every day to maintain a healthy lifestyle).

Mindfulness increases body image
Many eating disorder therapies focus on food and controlling eating habits. Mindfulness, however, focuses on freedom from negative thoughts and emotions. Griffith University psychologists found that women who binge are often high achievers and perfectionists; mindfulness help people live in the moment, develop a healthy self-acceptance, and become aware of potentially destructive habits and responses. Women who practice mindfulness report increased self-esteem, better relationships, and more satisfaction with their bodies. Mindfulness is also effective for anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and various stressors.

Happiness equals good health!
Carnegie Mellon University psychologist Sheldon Cohen found that people who are lively, calm, and happy are less likely to get sick when exposed to a cold virus. And when they do get sick, happy people are less likely to report symptoms. Positive emotional style decreases the risk of disease – so keep nurturing those positive characteristics!

Viewing skinny models causes depression and anger
University of Toronto researchers found that after women were exposed to magazine ads, they showed more depression and hostility than those who didn’t view magazines with models. Viewing female fashion models may have an immediate negative impact on self-esteem and body image.