The unattainable strive for perfection.

Middle Aged Male Body Confidence.

The silence of suffering needs to be raised.

In today’s world of modern technology and social media influencers, there is silent & insecure section of the male population.

Middle-aged men are coming under intense pressure and in increasingly difficult circumstances to find a way to look good aesthetically, pleasing on the eyes is the analogy used by some.

Now I understand that ladies are under similar pressures, however, given that I am middle-aged myself and male I think that we can stick to our issues and opinions.

Sharing some knowledge and information about being middle-aged & male.

Some research from the UCLA :

The superhero effect: Why do males feel pressure to look a certain way?

Research by psychiatrists at UCLA shows that overall, people today feel worse about the way they look than they did in the 1970s. Insecurity and negativity is something generally not associated with men.

This ongoing problem goes beyond a young man hitting the gym or the sports field to try to get a date: 90 per cent of boys in middle and high school exercise at least occasionally with the specific goal of “bulking up.” Also, the selection & availability of steroids & growth hormone products online is astronomical.

The media & social media tells men that we should be lean, strong, and muscular. But the male body image struggle is about more than the shape of our bodies. Among other concerns, men are figuring out how to deal with hair loss, height perception, and skincare.

Research has also found that hair loss is linked to feelings of inadequacy, depression, stress, and low self-esteem.

Male cosmetic procedures have increased by 325 per cent since 1997.

The top surgeries are:

Liposuction.

Nose surgery.

Eyelid surgery.

Male breast reduction.

Facelifts.

The darker side of the recent increase in male cosmetic surgeries, social media posts about fitness, and celebrity “transformations” is the underlying notion that guys need to improve their bodies.

Credits to: Health-line for the stats.

The businesses in this hard sell race, to embrace body positivity can also lead to negative self-perception and a major elevated level of mental health issues within middle-aged men and may be rapidly becoming a strong factor for the continued silence surrounding this important issue.

The alleged midlife crisis has been treated with a dismissive mood by many.

You can’t help but wonder if you can get a genuine sense of contentment that men would be raising awareness more about the way things are.

I researched various things around this topic and I have found this quote.

I came across an unnerving statistic too.

“These bodies are attainable for a small number of people — maybe half a percent of the male community,” says Aaron Flores, a registered dietitian nutritionist from Calabasas specializing in male body image. “Yet they’re associated with the idea of masculinity — the notion that as a man, I have to look a certain way, act a certain way.”

Credits to: Aaron Flores.

The National Association for Males with Eating Disorders estimates that 25 to 40 per cent of people with all eating disorders are males. (Figures from August 2019.)

Credits to: very well mind.com.

Reflection and Communication.

Men should be proud of who they are and embrace what they have and I feel strongly that they should stay away from the sharpness of focus around ideological society and social media.

Engaging with friends and raising awareness of real life is important for your health and wellbeing.

• You should be extremely proud of your body and the skin you are in.
• Gaining an aesthetically perfect body is unattainable for most.
• Staying healthy and happy is everything you can and will achieve.

I believe not putting your mind under the constant pressure will be a mitigating factor and the likely cause of anxiety & depression in middle-aged society.

Personal Summary.

I’m 41 years old and I weighed myself about an hour ago and just now to be sure. I’m 15s 10lbs. Which for me personally is not great.

I make sure that I can have clean clothes to wear daily and to smell amazing after my showers and throughout the day. I know my diet needs improvement.

I feel my list has more important things on it at the moment. I have thought about it this many times recently and I’m going to be doing what I already have been.

• Which is concentrating on reducing my prescription medication.
• The continued work on maintaining my recovery from addictions.
• Also engaging with the positive vibes that make you feel better within yourself.

I continue to study and read about alternative treatments and processes that are extremely helpful to me.

I’m trying something at the moment which I feel strongly about. It’s an interesting alternative to prescribed medications. I am currently researching Reiki too.

I am meditating with the help of an online app for 15/20 minutes a day.

• I’m not engaging with the people who are not going to be in the next chapter of my life.
• I’m not thinking about what everyone is doing or saying anymore.
• I’m just embracing who I am right now.
• I’m trying to mould myself a little different for my Wellness in body and mind moving forward.

I am not seeking affirmation for these things because I’m doing what I want to do.

I am sure that some may have a varied opinion but I am not giving a fuck.

Because it’s a free world to do what you want for your own life.

To progress and keep moving forward to a better place and new challenges with the opportunities to create new memories.

Stay strong & positive.

Created in a calming space with positive thoughts of what the future holds.

Brian Anthony Cumberlidge.

13/05/2020.