Our increasingly busy and productivity-focused lives are leading to an increase in anxiety, stress, and burnout. However, a social media trend claims that we may be able to find balance and grounding by embracing our feminine energy. But can we support physical and mental health conditions through self-care and relaxation alone? This article will explore the feminine energy trend to find out where it came from and whether there is any truth to it.
What is the feminine energy trend?
Embracing 'feminine energy' is a trend that has taken social media by storm. The trend promotes a shift in mindset and lifestyle, placing ‘self-care’ and ‘soft living’ as top priorities.
TikTok and Instagram influencers demonstrate this through the application of luxury skincare products and relaxing in lavish homes or tropical beaches.
Essentially, the trend has evolved as a response to the rising popularity of hyper-productivity and side hustles over the past few years. Influencers promoting the feminine energy trend proclaim that this hyper-productivity represents how masculine energy is dominating our culture.
Seemingly, the feminine energy trend takes these ideas to the opposite extreme. This has created conflicting opinions on the movement. While some have welcomed the idea of slowing down our busy lives and focusing on self-care, others view this trend as socially problematic by supporting regressive ideas of gender roles, such as declaring that passivity and submission are essential to fully embrace your feminine energy.
What is the science of feminine energy?
While interest in women's health is growing, such as a better understanding of menstrual cycles and menopause, social media's feminine energy trend does not usually focus on these issues.
Instead, the trend focuses on energy, categorizing feminine and masculine energy with certain characteristics, such as masculine energy representing productivity, taking action, and accomplishing goals, and feminine energy representing receiving, allowing, and tapping into our emotions.
We know that people deal with stress and pressure in different ways and can respond differently to different approaches. In addition to this, the concept of embracing our feminine energy will likely look different to all of us, with varying perceptions of gender and identity. For these reasons, following this trend is not a reliable way to approach taking care of our health.
There are no scientific studies to support that embracing feminine energy can directly benefit our physical and mental health. However, the trend focus on self-care may hold some truth to its claims.
Feminine energy vs. self-care
While social media influencers apply excessive amount of skincare products and drink collagen smoothies in the name of self-care, true self-care goes beyond cosmetics and expensive supplements.
The term self-care refers to not only taking care of our external appearances but also cultivating an attitude of care toward ourselves and those around us. This requires us to develop self-awareness of our choices and our actions.
A holistic approach to self-care encompasses care for the mind (mental health), body (physical health), and spirit (sense of purpose). To practice self-care is to tend to ourselves as a whole.
Social media’s version of self-care can contradict itself when it encourages people to strive for perfection. Therefore, it is important to understand the bigger picture of self-care to receive its benefits.
While embracing feminine energy may be an abstract concept with ideas that are difficult to understand or agree on, self-care can be understood simply as actions and activities to promote our well-being.
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5 ways to practice true self-care
Below, you can find five suggestions to practice self-care for holistic well-being:
1. Practicing meditation and mindfulness
Long-term research has proven that meditation and mindfulness support mental and physical health.
There are plenty of ways to meditate so everyone can find a technique that works for them. You might consider joining an online or in-person class or using one of the many brilliant mindfulness apps available.
2. Following a healthy diet
Nourish yourself with fresh foods and limit processed and pre-packaged meals.
Eating a highly processed diet may raise the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms, according to studies. So, taking time to cook and prepare your meals from scratch is a delicious act of self-care to consider. Additionally, some people find cooking to be a mindful exercise in itself.
3. Nurturing friendships and relationships
We are a social species and rely on a network of friends and family around us for support throughout our lives.
A study shows a correlation between loneliness and depression, so it is important that we prioritize quality time with our friends and family. Walks, phone calls, and coffee dates with loved ones can be socially nourishing, so consider daily or weekly check-ins with those you care about.
4. Prioritizing rest and quality sleep
Support your mental and physical health by prioritizing sleep.
We all know that we feel better after a good night’s sleep. At least eight hours of sleep is recommended. You may also improve your sleep quality by reducing caffeine intake and finding ways to relax before bed, such as meditation or gentle yoga.
5. Connecting with nature
Spending time in nature can benefit your health.
There is growing scientific evidence that our relationship with nature affects our well-being. Consider scheduling time to walk or sit in nature as an act of self-care. This may be in the form of a morning run, a lunchtime walk, a weekend hike, or a camping trip.
Overall, embracing our feminine energy will not necessarily improve our health or make us happier, and there is no scientific evidence to support many of its claims on social media. However, the trend's focus on self-care may provide some benefits to our well-being when implemented in a holistic way. It is important to seek professional support if you are suffering with your mental or physical health.
FAQ
Is self-care the same as embracing feminine energy?
While self-care is an aspect of the feminine energy trend, it is also a separate practice involving actions and activities that may support physical and mental health and overall well-being.
Is the feminine energy trend backed by science?
The feminine energy trend is not backed by science. However, there is some scientific evidence that self-care practices can benefit our health. Consider trying some of the self-care suggestions in this article to see if you experience its benefits.
How do I begin a self-care practice?
It is easy to begin a self-care practice, and it doesn't need to take up much time. Try out some of the suggestions above, such as fitting in a morning walk or run to your day or replacing processed foods with freshly made meals.
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In response to growing productivity expectations, a social media trend claims we can improve our physical and mental well-being through embracing feminine energy.
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While feminine energy is not scientifically proven, the benefits of self-care can be more easily measured.
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Self-care is a holistic practice; however, social media’s focus on external appearances can lead to a misunderstanding of how to implement it in your life.
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Meditation, healthy eating, and spending time with friends are great ways to practice self-care.
4 resources
- Nature Reviews Neuroscience. The neuroscience of mindfulness meditation.
- Clinical Psychological Science. Nutrition and mental health.
- Nordic Journal of Psychiatry. Depression and loneliness may have a direct connection without mediating factors.
- Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. The impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health.
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