Recently, I learned my body needs support when it comes to detox—I struggle to get rid of toxins, excess estrogen, etc. One of the things recommended to me was using an infrared sauna.
I found one place where I live that has one. They also offer many other spa services. Every time I go, they are always trying to sell me products and services to “get rid of cellulite” or “burn fat.”
Not only do I question the validity of these claims, but it reminds me of how it is living in our culture. Because I need the sauna, I cannot escape it right now. Just as we cannot escape toxins in our environment, we cannot escape constantly hearing messages that we need to change our bodies. But, we can fight them (as our bodies detox for us), and limit our exposure to them.
It took me a long time, and a lot of God’s grace, to not constantly obsess over changing my body, or obsess over keeping it the way it was.
Instead of fighting my body all the time, I now choose to fight these harmful messages. I am still fighting, but this fight does not leave me anxious and focused on the wrong things. This fighting keeps me free.
When I hear these messages from others, I have to fight it with truth.
Just as I limit my exposure to toxins by limiting exposure to plastics/pesticides, changing my lotions/soaps, etc., I’m also selective with what I put in front of my eyes every day. I choose to flood my Instagram feed with positive messages—in addition to family and friends, I follow people who share my faith and/or people who uphold body acceptance and being kind to ourselves.
Which fight are you fighting? Are you fighting yourself, or fighting the cultural messages that make you feel you aren’t enough? 💙
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