Why obsessing over self-improvement could be sabotaging your brain
Our obsession with ‘maxxing’ every aspect of our lives could actually be stressing us out
Why obsessing over self-improvement could be sabotaging your brain. The pursuit of maximizing every aspect of our lives has become a growing trend on social media, with terms like "looksmaxxing" and "personality-maxxing" gaining popularity. However, this fixation on optimization may not be the best way to motivate ourselves into healthy habits.
In fact, it might have the opposite effect and even cause stress. The term "maxxing" derives from the gaming concept of "min-maxing," where players optimize character attributes while minimizing less useful ones. This mindset, now applied to health and lifestyle, assumes that there's a maximum point to reach, but health and wellbeing are ongoing processes that fluctuate.
Constant self-surveillance and self-criticism can lead to psychological costs, such as anxiety about one's body, health, and self-image. Social media use, especially exposure to fit and idealized bodies, has been linked to increased risk of muscle dysmorphia and orthorexia. While pursuing healthy behaviors can be beneficial, it's crucial to recognize the motivations behind them.
If a maxxing trend encourages healthy behavior, it can be valuable, but if it compromises psychological wellbeing or social connections, it's essential to examine the underlying motivations. Practicing self-compassion and mindfulness can help maintain perspective, accepting imperfection as part of being human while still striving for improvement.
Written by urgent.news from Scientific American's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
