Aging Gracefully
- Former supermodel Paulina Porizkova, 59, is clapping back at the media and online bullies for the constant comparisons and scrutiny placed on aging women and their bodies, saying she is no longer “ashamed of baring it all. Physically and emotionally.”
- Appreciating your body and all that it has accomplished is a beautiful thing. Why not try to love the skin you’re in? After all, we only get one body, and we’re partners with it for life. However, embracing body positivity is easier said than done — especially for people going through cancer and going through more sudden changes than the natural aging process.
- Dr. Marianna Strongin helps a lot of her patients with body image struggles and shared some great perspective. She suggests gradually facing yourself in a mirror, and instead of zoning in on what you think are unfavorable aspects of your appearance, focus on the parts of yourself that you love the most.
In a clip shared this week by StyleLikeYou and Paulina on her Instagram page, her resurfaced documentary-style video interview is making headlines as the mental health activist continues to fight against the people who cause women to feel “endless freaking shame” about aging, menopause and baring their bodies into their 50s and beyond.
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“—And menopause is just another thing to be ashamed of because you’re no longer a viable woman,” the mom of two added.
Doubling down on the post and continuing the conversation, Paulina shared a radiant photo of herself lying on a 5-star hotel room bed completely bare.
“Speaking about shame, admitting you know it and figuring out why and when you feel it is a foundational step in getting rid of it,” she wrote. “Airing it out. Shame only thrives in dark corners. The sun obliterates it.”
The Sports Illustrated cover star then welcomed “all of you kind and supportive ladies!!” who have been leaving encouraging comments.
“And now that you are here, have a little scroll through my content to see what it is I’m actually saying. What my perspective is. And how very little shame I will actually allow and especially- and most importantly – act upon.”
The fashion icon, who has shot major campaigns for Chanel, Versace, Hermès and Revlon, then added the hashtag “#betweenjloandbettywhite,” jokingly placing herself in the middle of the ever-youthful Jennifer Lopez, 54, and the late Golden Girls star, Betty White, who died just shy of her 100th birthday, looking ravishing up until the end.
“Not ashamed of baring it all. Physically and emotionally.”
Body Image – Loving Your Body
Appreciating your body and all that it has accomplished is a beautiful thing. Why not try to love the skin you’re in? After all, we only get one body, and we’re partners with it for life.
However, embracing body positivity is easier said than done — especially for people going through cancer and going through more sudden changes than the natural aging process.
Survivor Ann Caruso, for example, had 12 surgeries to treat her breast cancer and told SurvivorNet about how all of the changes really impacted the way she saw her body.
“You’re not the same carefree person that you once were, and it was very hard for me to look at myself every day,” Caruso shared. “It was like I was a totally different person and didn’t fit into any of my clothes for so long.”
Redefining Femininity
But time is a powerful healer. Looking back on her breast cancer experience has helped her redefine femininity and body image. “Femininity is a state of mind,” Caruso added. “And I think that’s something that we have to remind ourselves.”
Dr. Marianna Strongin helps a lot of her patients with body image struggles and shared some great perspective.
“As humans we are marked by significant life experiences, some physically, some emotionally and at times both.”
Sometimes it’s hard for people to look into a mirror during these challenges, as people tend to focus on the negative things they see, but she still suggests the power of doing so.
“In order to move forward, it will be important that you gradually spend time in front of the mirror,” Dr. Strongin said. “Research has found that when looking in the mirror we are more likely to focus on the parts of our body we are dissatisfied with which causes us to have a negative self-view and lower self- esteem. Therefore, I would like for you to first spend time gazing at the parts of your body you love – give them time, honor them and then thank them.”
Aging & Combating Menopause
Although menopause is a natural occurrence, there are some things women can do to minimize the impact of menopausal symptoms.
We must first outline some well-known menopause symptoms, which include:
- Menstruation changes
- Hot Flashes
- Bladder control issues
- Difficulty sleeping
- Vaginal health and sexuality changes
- Mood changes
- Body changes
- Aches and pains
The Office on Women’s Health suggests options for dealing with these symptoms.
To help with hot flashes, women may consider hormonal medication or, cooling off with a cold beverage, or seeking air-conditioned air. To help with vaginal complications, moisturizers and lubricants can offer relief. When having difficulty sleeping, consider exercising, avoid eating or drinking immediately before bed, and practice good sleeping habits such as darkening the bedroom and keeping it cool and quiet.
Managing Menopause
To help with mood changes, consider getting enough sleep, minimizing stress, and seeking a support group or a therapist.
“There are certain instances where physicians can prescribe medications that may improve the vaginal dryness, or some other things that may be able to be prescribed, but it very specifically depends on what type of ovarian cancer a patient had, what their outcome was, and their risk of recurrence in the future,” Dr. Dedmond explained.
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