body
Feminism demands a future free of fat shaming, body obsession and the male gaze.
Fat Girl Fabulous
Ink and Blood and Soul I've grown up writing. Putting thoughts and ideas and feelings down on paper. Now I go to school full time and I write even more. I'm about to go to grad school and when I get there, I'll have to write my dissertation. Writing is a part of my soul. Like breathing or sleeping or drinking. Maybe it's more a part of me than any of those things. Breathing and sleeping and eating are facts of life. I enjoy them. I need them. They don't really touch my soul, though. Writing does that. It offers expression to the inexpressible, like art or dance. Arranging words on the page is like writing a symphony. Taking note of every syllable and sound. The soft whoosh of sh followed by the sharp, clipped p in ship. When I write I try to take these sounds and arrange them in a way that makes my heart hurt. It is as though my heart is speaking. When I open my mouth to speak the words come out jumbled and out of order but when I write, it is the purest form of expression. I'm writing this article because I believe I have something to say but I'm really not sure how to say it. The thoughts are fractured and messy and beautiful as they are. This is my attempt to show you the beautiful, crazy mess inside my head, spoken through my heart.
By Kristen Lee6 years ago in Viva
Low Self-Esteem
In the United Kingdom, three-quarters of the women who live there are unhappy with the shape of their bodies. In addition, a whopping 6 out of 10 feel their bodies make them depressed. If there are this many women in the U.K who are unhappy with the way they look, imagine how many women are in the world that feels this exact same way. There are many causes of low self-esteem and there are many ways to overcome it.
By Amy Zeigler6 years ago in Viva
Products for Your Boobs They Will Thank You For. Top Story - February 2018.
Yes, there are tons of products for your boobs that they will thank you for, and you need them right now. From simple products like nipple covers and boob tape to a face mask made just for your cleavage, there is a product for all of your breasts' needs.
By Leanna Davis6 years ago in Viva
My Experience with Skinny Shaming
I'm a size zero—the size often referenced as the pinnacle of beauty. The phrase "you don't have to be a size zero to be beautiful" is one common to the body positivity movement, and I wholeheartedly agree. What I'm here to tell you is that not only does beauty come in different sizes, but being a size zero does not inherently mean you're confident and love your body. For me, it's meant quite the opposite.
By Katie Burkholder6 years ago in Viva
Understanding Silence Is Not Consent
I am posting this on behalf of a friend who asked me to share her story. --- Exposed. Vulnerable. Confused. Every time I thought about it. Every time I tried to write down or verbalise what happened, a voice in my head told me to be quiet, to laugh it off, or stop typing.
By Sophie Rose6 years ago in Viva
Not a Word
I would give you a warning for this article, but there are no warnings in life. Right now, I could literally vomit. My insides are churning-spinning-and I just want to rip them out. I feel disgusted. With myself, my loved ones, the people that walk around me, and social media. I have felt this way for a long time, but have never chosen to say anything except to a few people...until now.
By Echo Jones6 years ago in Viva
Menstrual Pain Hacks
If you are a girl then in some way or another you have experienced or still experience that time of the month when mother nature just kicks you straight in the abdomen. Yes, I am talking about menstrual pain, cramps, irritability, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), cravings, being hot and bothered and everything else in between. At times it can feel like it is never-ending and just about nothing seems to work or simply help in easing your pain. Well fear not, I have a few tips that I use that may help you defeat or help subside that pain to a minimum the next cycle around. I am sharing with you some of my hacks that can help with your menstrual pain that I use and can say, has definitely helped improve my pain from month to month. So for starters, I would recommend investing in a heat pack because this on its own can be such an improvement and completely lessen your cramps by helping your muscles relax. Your cramps happen as a result of the muscles in your uterus contracting and by applying a hot compress to that area, you can instantly reduce pain. Applying heat to your abdomen will get blood flowing and relieve your menstrual pain while also blocking the pain signals that are being received by your brain. Dark chocolate is also said to help with menstrual pain and aids in regaining all the magnesium the body is losing as a result, and consuming anything whether a protein bar or an at home snack made from it will do your body wonders, by allowing it to rebuild that nutrient that it has lost. Some have said to be rather hot and bothered or in better terms, "horny" during their cycle and if that person happens to be you, then did you know that having sex can help with your menstrual pain? Well, more specifically, having multiple orgasms allows the uterus to contract during an orgasm and afterwards blood flow increases and your brain is hit with natural chemicals that automatically help your body relieve pain. That, by far, is a win-win if you ask me and if it helps your lady parts feel better then why not. Another option is by increasing your water intake and keeping your body hydrated. Dehydration can occur when your body is losing an excess amount of fluid every month and it is important to drink water regularly to assist your body in staying hydrated as well as helping it to recuperate. Taking a vitamin supplement like a Vitamin E can also play a part. Studies have shown that "women who took vitamin E supplements twice a day for four consecutive months reported lower pain intensity." So if you are looking to take a supplement to help with alleviating your menstrual pain, then of course always consult with your OB-GYN before you do so. There are also tons of apps out there that will help you track your cycle regularly and learning your own cycle can remind you when your menstrual is on its way and prepare you for the next couple of challenging days ahead. You can also incorporate lavender oil into your regimen because lavender is a great relaxer and it helps with acquiring better sleep, which in turn, can help with the discomfort. STAY away from caffeine and energy drink products as these can actually worsen your pain during your cycle. Caffeine can raise your PMS symptoms and elevate your estrogen levels and the same applies for energy drinks that contain caffeine in them as well. We all need a pick me up here and there but if you really suffer from horrible pain during your cycle then during that very crucial time staying away from these drinks can help in minimizing your pain every month. In terms of food and things you consume, if you lessen your salt intake during your flow you will be doing a great thing for your body. Salt makes your body retain water which makes you feel bloated and twice your actual size which is not a great feeling. So next time your friend comes around that next month, don't reach for that popcorn or if you are like me, sunflower seeds to help mend your pain, drink some water instead. I know cravings can get out of control but just cutting out salt will not leave you without options—there is always ice cream and who doesn't like ice cream. And last but not least, getting more sleep can help regulate your sleep cycle which can get messed up before and after your cycle. Not getting enough sleep can make your more cranky and less likely to make healthy choices like some of which I mentioned before. And as I have just told you healthy choices can actually help you conquer whatever Mother Nature throws at you. So next cycle try some of these hacks and tell mother nature she can shove it!
By Christal Sc6 years ago in Viva