Instagram's mix of wellness culture and erotic aesthetics has been blurring the line between health, beauty, and sexual desirability for years now. On one hand, there are those who promote self-care and body positivity through fitness and nutrition, while on the other hand, there is an increasing number of posts that feature eroticized bodies, often with no explicit reference to health or wellbeing. This creates confusion among users about what they need to do to be considered attractive, which can lead to unhealthy habits and negative self-image issues. In this article, I will explore how Instagram's mixture of these elements contributes to these internalized messages and why it matters.
The reason behind the prevalence of wellness culture on social media platforms like Instagram is simple - people want to look good and feel good. Fitness influencers and models have taken advantage of this desire by promoting their products and services as key to achieving physical perfection.
Many of them also use sexually suggestive language and imagery in their posts, implying that looking good means being sexy. This creates a confusing message for users, as they may believe that they must follow both aspects of wellness culture and eroticism to be accepted by others.
This mixture leads to the objectification of women, especially when it comes to their appearance. It perpetuates the idea that women should look a certain way to be considered beautiful and desirable, leading to the promotion of harmful dieting practices and cosmetic surgeries. Many women feel pressure to achieve the 'Insta-perfect' body type, which includes being thin, toned, and with a perfect complexion. This can lead to unrealistic expectations and negative self-esteem. Men are not immune to this phenomenon either, as they too are pressured to conform to an ideal masculine body type.
There has been a rise in body shaming and comparison among users, which can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. The constant bombardment of photoshopped images and fitness tips that emphasize muscle size over overall health can cause individuals to question their own bodies and abilities. It can lead to obsessive behaviors and disordered eating patterns, including bingeing and purging. In addition, some users may turn to plastic surgery or other extreme measures to attain the body shape promoted on Instagram.
The combination of wellness culture and eroticism also contributes to a culture where sexuality is prioritized above all else. When users see posts that promote physical perfection and sex appeal together, they may believe that these two things go hand in hand, making them think that one cannot exist without the other. This can create a sense of inadequacy for those who do not meet society's standards of beauty. It can lead to self-objectification and difficulty forming meaningful relationships based on genuine connection rather than superficial appearances. Users may become addicted to seeking validation through likes and comments on their photos instead of focusing on true intimacy and connection.
Instagram's mixture of wellness culture and erotic aesthetics creates confusion and pressure among its users regarding their appearance and sexuality. This can lead to unhealthy habits, negative body image issues, and even harmful cosmetic procedures. We must acknowledge this phenomenon and work towards creating a more holistic approach to health and beauty that promotes individuality, authenticity, and self-love. By doing so, we can move away from the damaging messages perpetuated by social media platforms like Instagram and embrace our uniqueness and diversity.
How does Instagram's mixture of wellness culture and erotic aesthetics blur the boundary between health, beauty, and sexual desirability, and how do users internalize these conflated messages?
Instagram's blend of wellness culture and erotic aesthetics obscures the line between health, attractiveness, and sexual desire by conveying an image that promotes an unattainable standard of physical perfection.