The biology of comparison… it’s a thing.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Comparison is the thief of joy” or “Compare and despair”?
These phrases certainly ring with some truth from our experiences, but did you also know that comparison is actually 100% necessary for our survival as a species?
If we look at evolutionary biology we can examine how comparison was actually a tool we evolved to have for our protection and safety…
We have had to size our selves up to threats to determine if they are worth fighting. If they are bigger and stronger it may be of survival benefit to run the other direction, but if they are smaller, we might be able to take them on and win the prize (food, the mate, etc.).
Comparison has actually SERVED us well over the years…
But it has also taken its toll on women especially, who are vulnerable to the internal and external criticisms we are faced within our culture at this time. The comparison game with play with our own beauty and body shape actually, in some ways, equates to survival from that genetic, biological place from which we evolved.
In other words, from this primal and genetic center, comparison means life or death!
Being less beautiful or having a less optimal shape (whatever that means for the person) means there will be a lack of security and protection from this primal lens…
Isn’t this interesting?!
The stress chemistry that results leads to all kinds of issues including:
- Digestive woes
- Weight gain (or loss)
- Nutrient excretion and malabsorption
- Decreased calorie burning capacity
To name a few.
Comparison, when chronic, leads to stress chemistry in our body that works against us!
So, what’s the solution?
A simple, yet powerful thing…
SELF-LOVE SELF-RESPECTSELF-CARE
… and a reframe of those thoughts that take us down a rabbit hole…
These things literally can literally alter our stress chemistry for the positive and help us reach our goals effortlessly and painlessly…
Just something to consider…
Thoughts?
