5 tips to develop body Positivity

Body positivity is the belief that everyone deserves a good body image, regardless of how society and popular culture define ideal shape, size, and appearance. It entails liking your body and feeling good about its appearance.

Why focus on Body Positivity

Focusing attention on Body positivity is important. Because it can greatly improve mental health, contribute to self-acceptance, contribute to healthier relationships with the body, and reduce the risk of negative effects such as depression, anxiety, and diet. Disorders associated with negative imagery are at this point as an incentive for healthy lifestyle choices and increased self-respect in general. In fact, this challenges the standards of social beauty and creates a more inclusive and positive vision of all kinds of physics.

Lets Understand Body Image Distortion 

Body image distortion, often known as negative body image, is a drastically distorted perception of one’s body in which people see themselves differently than they actually appear. This can include worrying about perceived imperfections that are insignificant or non-existent in the eyes of others. People with body image distortion frequently focus on their body size, shape, or specific body parts, causing extreme dissatisfaction and distress.

This condition differs from regular body image issues in terms of severity and disturbance to a person’s life. While it is normal for people to have minor concerns about their appearance, these normally do not cause significant mental anguish or interfere with their everyday functioning. Body image distortion, on the other hand, can cause widespread self-consciousness, avoidance behaviours, and social isolation, as well as drastically impede academic and social performance.

Body image distortion is frequently associated with mental health illnesses such as eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and depression, necessitating professional treatment. Therapy for body image distortion often seeks to address the underlying psychological issues that contribute to the distorted self-image, assisting patients in developing a more realistic and less critical impression of their bodies.

How to Improve Your Body Positivity ?

Be Realistic

Telling people to ignore the mainstream beauty ideal is unrealistic. This can also add to a person’s anxiety, negativity, and sense of worthlessness. Instead, recognise that just because a “ideal” body image exists doesn’t imply you have to follow it. You have value and worth regardless of your body shape and size. Avoid comparing yourself to unreasonable standards or attempting to reach unsustainable goals. Focus on making healthy and attainable goals for yourself.

Heavily edited and hyper-unrealistic images of bodies and faces can be toxic for your health, and they also don’t reflect the vast majority of real-life experiences. Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about your body and replace them with accounts that emphasize body positivity, body acceptance, and honesty.

When you’re fighting with your body image, keep mantras like “This is my body, this is where I live”, “Every ounce is sacred”, “I am more than my body”, and “This is temporary” handy. Investigating the constraints you impose on yourself/what you miss out on by “giving in” to negative body image thoughts and regulations.

Adopt Body Neutrality

Self-image Talk with neutral affirmations about your body’s functions and avoid comparisons to others, instead focusing on how your body serves you and allows you to participate in activities you enjoy; essentially, you want to simply “be” in your body without attaching negative or overly positive emotions to its appearance.

Read More: Body Positivity VS Body Neutrality 

Focusing on self- care 

Eat healthy meals to energise your mind and body. Exercise because it makes you feel stronger and more energised, not because you want to change or control your body.

When you’re making meals, or when you’re hitting the gym, don’t frame your fitness goals according to a number you’d like to see on the scale. Exercise and a healthy diet shouldn’t be punishment; this is one way we show respect and appreciation for our bodies. So, instead of thinking about how much your body weighs, or how it’s shaped, think about all the amazing things it can do, all the places it can take you, how it feels, and the experience it brings you. Then honor it with nourishing meals and exercises that you actually ENJOY.

Read More: Self Care: What It Is And What It Isn’t

Positive affirmation 

One of the most fundamental and powerful methods to practise self-love is to say it loudly and often, especially when it’s difficult to be grateful for our bodies.

• Give yourself daily verbal encouragement and reminders. This may include uttering a kind word to yourself in the mirror in the morning, putting encouraging sticky notes on your bedside table, or even entering daily encouragements into your phone or computer. 
• Look for self-love and body-positive mantras that appeal to you. And remember, we warned part of this work may feel foolish, but it doesn’t imply it isn’t effective. Keep at it. A little silliness will not harm you.
• Taping love notes to the mirror. Put notes to self on your mirror about what you love about your body. When negative thoughts and feelings about your body bubble up, challenge them with positive affirmations.
• Writing a letter of gratitude to your body. List what you’re thankful for when it comes to how your body works for you every day rather than your looks, such as your ability to breathe, laugh, sing, play sports, or dance.

Think about what you like the most 

Focus on what you enjoy about yourself. Every time a negative idea about your body enters your head, counter it with something positive. Make a list of what you like about your physique. Not only does it look good, but it also allows you to perform cool things. List everything out. We have a natural tendency to focus on our dissatisfactions while overlooking the positives. Breaking out from that way of thinking will require constant repetition. Simply stay at it.

Seek Professional Help 

Getting professional help. Look for a therapist or counsellor who specialises in body image issues or eating disorders who can help you develop new methods of observing and talking to yourself about your body. You are not the first person to struggle with negative body image, and there is a whole world of specialists who have devised effective strategies to reframe your ideas and reclaim your life.

FAQs

1. What is body positivity?

Body positivity is the belief that all bodies, regardless of size, shape, or appearance, deserve to be celebrated and treated with respect .

2. Why is body positivity important?

It helps individuals develop a healthier mindset, reduce negative self-esteem, and combat harmful societal beauty standards. Embracing body positivity promotes mental and emotional well-being.

3. How can I practice body positivity every day?

Start by challenging negative thoughts, embracing self-care, surrounding yourself with positive influences, and focusing on your body’s abilities and strengths instead of just its appearance.

4. How do I stop comparing myself to others?

Remind yourself that everyone’s body is unique and that beauty is not one-size-fits-all. Practice gratitude for your own body and avoid comparing yourself to unrealistic standards or edited images.

5. Can body positivity help with body image issues?

Yes, body positivity can help by encouraging self-love, self-compassion, and shifting focus from appearance to health and self-worth. It can be a powerful tool in overcoming body image struggles.