Body Neutrality: Your Next Power Move
We have all been there, staring at our reflection in the mirror, wishing we saw something different. Or wishing we at least felt better about the body staring back. Truthfully, we are all guilty of comparing our bodies to someone else's at one point or another. Many times, the comparison has been forced on us, even by well-meaning others. Mainstream culture in the United States caters to the notion of a "perfect body," and depending on how well we measure up to that ideal, we receive unsolicited commentary on our imperfections—too fat, too skinny, too short, too tall, too muscular, too scrawny—all in an attempt to steer us closer toward this idealized body type.
However, more and more people are settling on the idea that the "perfect body" won't ever exist, and are actively working to dismantle this hurtful concept. To that aim, the Body Positivity and Body Neutrality movements were born, our opportunity to rewrite these damaging narratives.
What is Body Neutrality, and How is it Different from Body Positivity?
Body positivity and body neutrality are indeed combating society's inaccessible beauty standards, but they have some key differences that distinguish them from one another. The body positivity philosophy promotes love of your body regardless of size, shape, race, gender, or nationality. In contrast, body neutrality encourages expressing gratitude for physical abilities and non-physical characteristics instead of physical appearance.
Body neutrality recognizes that there will always be good and bad days when it comes to how we perceive our bodies. Instead of emphasizing the importance of always loving how we look, this mentality helps you maintain a steady and neutral stance toward your body which feels a bit more realistic.
Body Neutrality in PracticeDespite buying into the mission behind the body positivity movement, developing confidence in ourselves and our bodies does not happen overnight. When we don't meet our expectations of how we should look or the goals we’ve set for our weight-loss journey, we feel frustrated. And then the fact that we’re unhappy with our bodies makes us feel like a body positivity failure as well. These compounding feelings make the idea of “loving our bodies at every shape or size” a bit of an impossible aspiration.
On the other hand, with body neutrality, there's no pressure to reach goals or achieve expectations. Instead, we are encouraged to take care of our bodies without passing judgment on them. This is a huge, fundamental shift.
Change your Body Perspective, Today
Changing how we talk about our bodies and care for them is a commitment we must make every day. Although not exhaustive, the following lists provide an excellent place to start.
If someone brings up weight gain or loss, ask how they feel (sluggish? energized? worn out?) rather than commenting on their changed physical appearance.
Eat what you want to eat
Whole, fresh food is essential to nourishing our bodies, but don't deny your cravings. You aren't being greedy or bad for doing so. It’s all about balance.
Respect your body
If you belong to a gym but don't enjoy going there, you're not going to go as often as you'd like. Consider finding an activity or workout you enjoy instead. Caring for your body should be something you enjoy doing, not something you dread.
The Impact of Negative Body Image
From an early age, families, peers, culture, and the media indoctrinate us with societal expectations and false narratives about perfection. In response, we believe that the perfect body exists. As a result, many of us develop a negative body image.
Having a negative body image can often cause people to feel ashamed of themselves, lose confidence, and feel extremely uncomfortable in their skin, which can also lead to depression. Conversely, adopting a positive body image and building self-confidence can help build resilience against societal pressure.
Gaining Confidence Through Gratitude
At Resilience Counseling, we recognize that the body neutrality movement is about adapting to a lifestyle fueled by gratitude. Our team believes that body neutrality can serve as your first step and your end goal towards a positive body image. Being thankful can improve happiness, self-esteem, empathy, physical health, and even loneliness.
Committing to gratitude encourages you to turn your attention away from your body. If you fill your mind with all the positive aspects of your life, there is less space and fewer chances for negative thoughts to intrude. Also, focusing on the functionality of your body, rather than the appearance, will help improve your self-esteem and perception of yourself.
Consider the following tips as you begin your gratitude journey:
Practice gratitude by focusing on what your body is capable of instead of how it looks
Integrate body-focused self-care into your routine. Soothing activities such as a relaxing massage, taking a long bath, or moving your body in a way that feels comfortable could be part of this process
You can use affirmations including a phrase that speaks to body acceptance, for example, I am more than a body or I love what my body is capable of
Practice self-compassion through meditation. As we extend more compassion towards ourselves, the more likely it is that we will extend it to our bodies
Our self-esteem soars dramatically when we learn to accept and be happy with the way our bodies look and what they can do. Body neutrality allows us to identify and become more authentic within as we begin to remove the harmful and internalized layers.
Learn to Accept and Care for Your Body at Resilience Counseling Akron
The benefits of individual therapy include the opportunity to discover the root causes of body image-related challenges and strategies to challenge maladaptive thinking and behavior. Everyone comes to therapy with their own goals and expectations, so we tailor our practice to fit you rather than the other way around. Our commitment is universal: we will guide you through all exercises you need to learn to love and appreciate yourself.
We at Resilience Counseling want to empower you to express yourself as you are, establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships, and build confidence in all areas of your life.
If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about developing a deeper sense of confidence, a positive body image, or building a stronger relationship with yourself, we invite you to reach out to us today on our website to schedule a free 15-minute consultation or give us a call at (314) 690-5379.
