Shrinking Women

Posted on August 15th, 2007

In a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, an author discusses the phenomenon of shrinking women, literally and figuratively. Women are encouraged to be physically smaller than ever before, and along with this comes a disturbing new trend of decreased aspirations.

It’s bad enough that our dress sizes are shrinking to 0, but so too is our common sense and our understanding of health, wellness and lasting beauty. Most distressingly, our ambitions are shrinking as well.

It sometimes seems that we like our women small, literally and figuratively.

Is it possible that society keeps us so focused on staying small that we have little time or energy for anything else? Could the obsession with thinness be a way to keep women under control and limit our power? I’ve wondered about this topic before and the author brings up some interesting points.

Read the whole article here.

Zen Running - Running as Meditation

Posted on August 10th, 2007

Zen Running - Running as Meditation

 An article at ZenHabits talks about tying together running (or any form of physical exercise) and meditation. Meditation has long been shown to have positive effects on health. Those that meditate daily, even for just a short period of time, are typically less susceptible to the negative effects of daily life stresses better. By combining meditation with running or some other form of exercise, you’re getting twice the health benefits in the same period of time. Meditation can also be a helpful way to take your mind off of the exercise itself, which can make it more seamless.

Be aware of what’s around you, of the sights and sounds, and be aware of your breathing, the aches and pains of your muscles and joints, your muscles as they work during your run, your feet as they hit the ground, the wind as it hits your skin, your hair rustling in that wind, your thoughts as  you run.

Read the whole article here.

Eating Disorders: Not Only for Young Women

Posted on July 27th, 2007

Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulemia have long been considered a problem for young women. However, a new article suggests that a growing number of women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s are seeking treatment for disordered eating.

Women over 30 who seek treatment tend to fall into three categories, said Holly Grishkat, who directs outpatient programs at Renfrew. Some have had an eating disorder for years. Others had a disorder in remission that resurfaced because of new stress in life, such as a divorce or loss of a parent. A third group, the smallest of the three, includes women who develop an eating disorder late in life.

Read the whole article here.