Instagram has become one of the most popular social media platforms for sharing images and videos related to fitness, healthy eating, yoga, meditation, and other aspects of wellness culture.
This trend also involves blurring the lines between wellness and erotica, often through the use of sexually suggestive poses and imagery. This can be seen as part of a larger cultural shift towards viewing self-care and self-improvement as intertwined with physical appearance and desirability. In this article, we will explore how Instagram's blending of erotic aesthetics with wellness culture reinforces the idea that desirability is inseparable from discipline, control, and self-surveillance. We will also discuss the implications of this trend for users who may feel pressure to conform to societal beauty standards while engaging in wellness activities.
We will consider potential solutions for addressing these issues and promoting body positivity and diversity within the wellness community.
One way that Instagram's blending of wellness and eroticism reinforces the idea of desirability as inseparable from control is by normalizing the notion that achieving a certain level of fitness or appearance requires strict adherence to a set of rules and practices.
Many fitness influencers on the platform share images of themselves following rigorous workout regimes or carefully planned meal plans, which can be interpreted as a form of self-discipline and control. At the same time, however, some of these posts are explicitly sexualized, such as photos of women posed provocatively after a sweaty workout or videos of yoga sessions featuring close-up shots of toned bodies. These images send the message that being attractive and healthy go hand in hand, and that achieving one without the other is impossible. This can create a sense of urgency among users to achieve both, leading them to feel anxious and insecure about their own progress towards these goals.
Another way that Instagram's wellness-erotica fusion reinforces the connection between desirability and self-surveillance is through the use of hashtags and tags. Many wellness influencers tag their posts with terms like fitspo (fitness inspiration), bodypositive, and selfcare, while also including emojis and captions that suggest a focus on physical appearance. By combining these concepts, they encourage followers to see wellness as part of a broader goal of attaining an ideal body type. This not only promotes unrealistic beauty standards but also puts pressure on individuals to constantly monitor and evaluate their bodies, often leading to feelings of shame and anxiety.
The normalization of this trend on Instagram can have serious implications for users who struggle with body image issues or disordered eating.
Those who engage in restrictive diets or excessive exercise may become even more fixated on their bodies and less able to enjoy activities related to fitness and wellbeing.
It can reinforce the idea that certain types of bodies are inherently more valuable than others, further exacerbating existing power dynamics around gender, race, and class. To address these issues, some critics argue that we need to redefine what constitutes "wellness" to include a wider range of practices and perspectives, such as mental health, spirituality, and emotional resilience. Others suggest that platforms like Instagram could do more to promote diversity and representation by featuring more diverse body types and backgrounds in their content.
Instagram's blending of wellness culture with eroticism reinforces the idea that desirability is inseparable from discipline, control, and self-surveillance. This trend creates pressure on individuals to achieve both wellness and attractiveness while simultaneously perpetuating harmful beauty norms. To combat this, we must strive towards a broader understanding of what counts as "wellness," promote body positivity and inclusivity within the community, and hold social media platforms accountable for the content they choose to feature.
How does Instagram's blending of erotic aesthetics with wellness culture reinforce the idea that desirability is inseparable from discipline, control, and self-surveillance?
Instagram's blend of erotic aesthetics with wellness culture emphasizes the importance of physical appearance, fitness, and health while also promoting a sense of control over one's body and lifestyle choices. This can lead users to view themselves as objects to be monitored and managed, rather than individuals with their own unique experiences and perspectives.