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By: Jehan Mawani - MSW, RSW, BSW, B.Ed., B.A.
In a world where media, societal perspectives, and cultural beliefs dictate our perceptions of ideal beauty, it can cause us to question our own appearances. As a result, barriers to cultivate a sense of body positivity are formed. The body positivity movement is a personal one – A journey towards increased confidence, acceptance, and self-love. It is about appreciating and recognizing our body for all it does, celebrating our body’s uniqueness, and rejecting the societal and sociocultural pressures that dictate narrow definitions of beauty.
How Did This Movement Start?
The body positivity movement began as a direct response to the unrealistic body standards and body shaming perpetuated by the fashion industry and the media. In the 1960s, an acceptance movement advocated for the dignity and rights for individuals of all sizes. Over the past 60 years, body positivity has changed to encompass all body types, promote self-love, and celebrate diversity. Through our BYC Body Positivity Series we will explore this topic further, and what this looks like in 2024.
Why Is This Important?
✧ Mental Health & Illness: Embracing our bodies can significantly improve our mental health and decrease our risk for mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. When we take the difficult step to reject harmful beauty standards, and embrace our bodies as they are, we come to a point of self-acceptance.
✧ Self-Acceptance: Practicing body positivity supports us to view ourselves as worthy and valuable, regardless of appearance. This self-acceptance also improves feelings of how we judge our self-worth and increases our self-esteem. Our identity is so much more than our appearance. Removing focus on the appearance of our bodies allows us to explore the many other important things we offer, and the roles we play in life.
✧ Physical Health & Food: When we start to think of our bodies outside of appearances, we begin to realize that our bodies serve many functions. Our mouths help us chew food, our legs help us go for walks, our stomachs help us digest, and our arms help us carry our children. Our bodies help us laugh, they help us dance, and they help us create! When we begin to appreciate and practice gratitude for our bodies, we also can begin to improve on our relationships with physical and food.
✧ Diversity & Inclusivity: The body positivity movement also emphasizes the need for diversity in media, advertising, and the fashion industry. When we are able to see representation of various body types, shapes, and sizes, we begin to normalize diversity. This also helps us to practice inclusivity and acceptance as a society.
How Can We Practice Body Positivity?
♡ Our Thoughts: Sometimes we have been thinking one way about something for SO long, that we need to do a thought-overhaul. By recognizing our personal thought processes around our body positivity, we can begin to challenge negative thoughts we may have around our own body. The next step becomes replacing these thoughts with positive affirmations and reminding ourselves of our body’s worth outside of physical appearance.
♡ Social Media: This is one of the biggest influences of our time, especially when it comes to appearances. Following accounts that promote body positivity, inclusivity, and diversity can support us on our journeys. Unfollowing accounts that make us feel inadequate or perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards, will also support us on our journey. Consider reviewing who you follow today, and make changes if needed.
♡ Self-Care: Whether it is engaging in a hobby, listening to music, or meditating, prioritize activities that make you feel good about yourself, and meet your holistic needs. Engaging with our bodies and minds in different ways helps us build a more positive relationship with our inner selves. Ask a friend or family member to join you!
♡ Support System: Having a strong support system of family and friends who uplift and encourage us and promote body positivity can make all the difference! It may be necessary to avoid or set boundaries with family members or friends who perpetuate negative body image, engage in body shaming, or do not promote inclusivity and self-love.
This journey is by no means easy and can be so challenging! With the amount of opposing information out there, we can sometimes feel like we are swimming against the current. That being said, through setbacks or moments of doubt we can do things to stay resilient:
♡ Be kind and patient with yourself and acknowledge all the progress you have made!
♡ Celebrate all your victories and continue to practice your positive affirmations
♡ Seek out support with a professional if your thoughts become overwhelming
At Building You, our therapists are well versed and equipped to support you through this with addressing negative thoughts, providing valuable tools and strategies, and empowering you to build a positive self-image.
August is Body Positivity month at BYC! Stay tuned for more blog posts on this topic ☺