Body Neutrality: A Gentle Approach to How We Think About Our Bodies

There’s a kinder, gentler movement on the rise, a deeply quiet celebration of just being who we are—physically and mentally. Welcome to Body Neutrality 1 , a soothing antidote to the angst of looking in the mirror and feeling like we don’t measure up to the ideals of modern beauty.

Whether you blame it on the to give life, all of these controlled by a brain We’re not alone: mental health issues Age of Advertising, celebrithat also give us intelligence, emotions, creaassociated with self-image are worldwide ty culture, or social media, tivity, and memory—and some would say and affect all ages, genders, and cultures. we’re bombarded with spirit and soul. One UK study by the Mental Health images of what perfection looks like. Even Foundation found: when we know that ‘perfection’ is impossible without great lighting and photo tricks, many of us equate our value to how well Body Neutrality is about freeing and rechannelling all the time and energy spent on obsessive thoughts about our bodies • One in three teenagers are “ashamed of their body.” we measure up—or don’t. We feel bad about into manifesting other things for our lives. • 57% of 18 to 24-year-olds feel anxious ourselves, convinced that we’d be happier, And the more we focus on looking after because of their body image, compared more loved, more successful, if only… ourselves, the better we’ll function and the with 30% of 45 to 54-year-olds and 20% better we’ll feel. of over 55s. Body Neutrality is appreciating and looking after what we truly are: a marvel of bioengineering that gives us finely-honed tools to think, create, work, and play. Legs to Not a Pretty Picture The amount of time and energy we spend wishing or trying to change our physical • 13% of adults admit to having experienced suicidal thoughts or feelings because of their body image. walk, run, jump and dance; hands to grasp appearance can take its toll on our mental Results suggest that “higher body dissatisfacand manipulate; and arms to hold, push, well-being when critical self-talk leads tion is associated with poorer quality of life, and pull. Complex, intricate, interconnected to anxiety, and feelings of worthlessness psychological distress and risk of unhealthy systems that work together to be alive and and depression. eating behaviours and eating disorders.”

Mind Shift

Body Neutrality acknowledges that not all of us are going to love our bodies—and that’s okay. In fact, it’s not about loving or hating them but having a more neutral acceptance; and recognizing that, if we treat them well, they’ll help us live our lives well, without obsession and judgement. When we’re steeped in a culture focused on what’s wrong with our bodies, rather than on our unique qualities, that mind shift takes insight, self-compassion, and practice. Here’s how to start:

Listen and notice. Start by being present to what you think and say to yourself when you look in the mirror. Write it down. How would you rate your self-talk on a 1 to 10, negative to positive scale? Notice when you judge yourself—or others—about weight or physical appearance. What qualities can you find instead?

Acknowledge and validate. Your feelings aren’t ‘wrong’ or unjustified—they just don’t serve you. Respect and be kind to yourself and know that you deserve better.

Change your conversation. Replace negative thoughts with something more affirming. Recognize that you don’t go from ‘horrible’ to ‘fabulous’ overnight, and there are many steps in between. Think of it like climbing a ladder, as you progress from “I deserve to feel better” to “I feel good when I’m strong and healthy.” Notice and be grateful for what your body does for you. Say “thank you!” Post affirmations on your mirrors. Switch channels. Notice where you are exposed to messages making you feel lesser, and switch to something more constructive and affirming. You may find that includes conversations with friends and family.

Surround yourself with people who appreciate you for the unique being you are.

Respect your body. Treat yourself well with healthy food and exercise and recognize the link between physical and mental health.

Get support. Talk to friends or family about how you feel. Chances are, you’ll find you are not alone. Professional support and programs on building well-being and self-esteem can also help.

Be mindful, be patient. Recognize that you are working to replace a lifetime of negative thoughts and feelings about your body, reinforced by popular media. Some days will be better than others. Be kind to yourself.

The key to a body-neutral mindset is to focus on health—to take care of your body so you feel strong and resilient, for the long haul. And that’s something to love.

BEAUTY THROUGH THE AGES

When we chart the course of the ideals of western beauty through art, we discover that being slim is a modern standard.

Circa 28,000 BCE: A woman’s broad hips and rounded body signified ideal health and the ability to bear children as shown as the Venus of Willendorf statue.  17th century: During the Baroque period and into Victorian England, the ideal woman was voluptuous and full-figured.

1920s: Society, design, and fashion were determined to be completely different to what came before. Now beauty meant a flat-chested, boyish figure. 

1930s: In the Golden Age of Hollywood, hourglass curves were back in fashion. 

1960s: A willowy body in a miniskirt ruled. 

1970s: The svelte and curvy Supermodel body type was preferred.

BODY IMAGE is mental and emotional: the mental picture that you have of your body and the way you feel about it when you look in a mirror.

A healthy body image is truly accepting and liking the way you look right now, recognizing the individual qualities and strengths that make you feel good about yourself beyond weight, shape, or appearance, and resisting the pressure to strive for the myth of the “perfect” body that you see in the media, online, or in your communities.

Self-esteem is how you value and respect yourself as a person—the opinion you have of yourself inside and out. Self-esteem impacts how you take care of yourself, emotionally, physically, and spiritually (and)…is about your whole self, not just your body. —The Canadian Mental Health Association

1990s:

Skinny and androgynous chic. 

Today: It’s all about a big butt, flat stomach, and slim body.

1 A term phrased by Green Mountain at Fox Run, a community and retreat in Vermont, for women who struggle with weight, emotional and binge eating.

Sources www.cmha.bc.ca/documents/body-image-self-esteem-and-mental-health/ www.scienceofpeople.com/beauty-standards/ www.independent.co.uk/life-style/body-neutrality-definition-movement-positivity-imagedifference-explained-a8494646.html www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-12/who-decides-whatbeauty-is/10177538 www.themoderatevoice.com/what-is-the-body-neutrality-movement-all-about/ www.huffpost.com/entry/what-is-body-neutrality_n_5b61d8f9e4b0de86f49d31b4 about-face.org/learn/ www.theguardian.com/society/2019/may/17/poor-body-image-mental-health www.fitwoman.com