The Hidden Dangers of Toxic Positivity and Diet Culture

Understanding Toxic Positivity

Toxic positivity suggests that thinking positively is the solution to all hardships, which can cause people facing real difficulties to feel additional guilt when their problems persist. Forcing a positive mindset all the time can lead to the suppression of real emotions, denial of struggles, and avoidance of important mental health conversations.

Suppressing negative emotions in favor of constant positivity can result in feelings of guilt, shame, and isolation when those emotions inevitably surface. True self-care involves acknowledging and processing all emotions, both positive and negative, rather than dismissing them in the name of positivity.

The Impact of Diet Culture

Diet culture has distorted the perception of a healthy, balanced diet, leading people to punish themselves for occasional indulgences and misunderstand what actual healthy eating looks like. Carbs, gluten, calories, dairy, grains, and sugar are not inherently bad for you; they become problematic only if you are allergic, consume them exclusively, or eat them in ultraprocessed forms without balancing with unprocessed foods.

Diet culture has led to confusion about what constitutes a healthy diet, causing people to demonize certain foods unnecessarily. The notion that certain foods are inherently bad can lead to unhealthy relationships with food and eating habits.

The Importance of True Self-Care

True self-care often involves spending quality time with friends, family, and community rather than engaging in solitary activities or spending money on products. Insisting that self-care must be solitary and involve purchasing products can overlook the importance of social interactions and community support, which are essential for many people's well-being.

Self-care that emphasizes solitary activities and consumerism can neglect the benefits of social connections and communal support, which are crucial for many people's mental health. The celebration of self-care as a solitary activity overlooks the importance of social interactions and the positive impact they can have on mental health.

Balancing Emotions and Expectations

The idea that life must be a constant journey of emotional evolution and self-improvement can make people feel inadequate if they are not always striving to improve. Sometimes it is acceptable to just be how you are without the need to grow or change, countering the pressure from toxic positivity and wellness trends.

The pressure to always be improving oneself can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction with one's current state. The pressure to maintain a positive mindset at all times can prevent people from addressing and processing their true emotions, leading to long-term mental health issues.

Healthy Eating and Self-Compassion

A balanced diet should include a mix of foods, mostly unprocessed, and allow for occasional indulgences without self-punishment. Hating oneself into better habits is ineffective; a healthy lifestyle should be based on balance and self-compassion.

Understanding that carbs, gluten, calories, dairy, grains, and sugar are not inherently bad for you can help foster a healthier relationship with food. A balanced approach to diet and self-care can lead to better mental and physical well-being.