According to statistics, 83% of women and 74% of men are dissatisfied with their appearance at one time or another in their lives. Most often, this feeling occurs when looking in the mirror while trying on clothes or underwear. But the new body neutrality movement promises to teach you self-acceptance and appreciation for your body. Why is this important and how is it better than body positivity?
What Is Body Positivity
The body positivity movement appeared in the sixties of the last century. His main goal was to break the “thinking trap” of perceiving a person through his weight. Supporters of the movement argued that everyone is worthy of respect, love and fair treatment, regardless of weight or body shape.
Body positivity began to be promoted in schools and workplaces, in advertising and marketing. And it really managed to change the negative stereotypes that excess weight is a consequence of an “wrong” lifestyle. But despite initially good intentions, over time, adherents of body positivity went to extremes. They began to assert: “My body is my business” and popularized excess weight as a norm of life. Therefore, the medical community began to criticize them.
The body positivity movement originated in America as a revolutionary approach to treating yourself, and most importantly, your health. There were beautiful values: love for yourself and your body, whatever it may be, proper nutrition and sports, communication with people, caring for yourself and others. However, after a while, something “went wrong.”
The body positivity approach has become aggressive. The concept of “norm” has been erased. Different rules appeared, and sports began to be denied, calling it “violence,” and diet and detox programs were anathema. The essence of the direction has changed dramatically. I accept myself as I am. And it doesn’t matter that your heart hurts, there is shortness of breath, and your knees seem to crumble into crumbs when climbing the stairs. It’s not all about weight…
Modern body positivity demonstrates a strategy of escaping from problems and taking responsibility for one’s health. And the issue here is not only about excess weight. What kind of love for the body can we talk about when a person has a disease that destroys it?
What Is Body Neutrality
A movement with this name appeared in 2015 as a response to the popularization of body positivity. It was initiated by certified intuitive eating consultant, eating disorder specialist, and fitness instructor Anne Poirier. She wanted to help people develop healthy habits and find a balance between diet and exercise.
The expert stated: “We are more than just a body! Even though we cannot control everything, and our appearance largely depends on genetics, we should be grateful to the body for providing our physical needs and giving us the opportunity to hug loved ones.”
Body neutrality is a loyal attitude towards one’s appearance and physical appearance. Accepting yourself and your true self, a healthy attitude towards the various forms of your body.
Body neutrality as a movement does not prohibit experiencing a different cocktail of feelings towards your body, both positive and negative. The only question is accepting the situation. And after that, you can focus on what to do to develop hidden unique abilities in yourself and see opportunities for changing the situation.
Body neutrality brings into use very important concepts that many have forgotten due to the fast food era. These are detoxification, fasting days. That is, what is required to improve health and quality of life.
Proponents of body neutrality encourage you to listen to your body to understand what it needs. Only by “calming” your body and satisfying its basic needs can you effectively achieve your goals.
According to fitness instructor Maddie Ciccone, body neutrality is a more balanced approach to your life. This is not ignoring your shortcomings, because ideal people do not exist, but taking care of your body without judgment.
And although some say that body neutrality is the opposite of body positivity, this is not true. This is another way to accept yourself, but do it in a balanced, thoughtful way. On the one hand, appreciate the opportunities that the body gives, and on the other, think about the future and take care of its health.
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How to Practice Body Neutrality
- Find what you like about your appearance
And often list your virtues out loud. For example: “I love my long legs,” “My arms look great in this sleeveless blouse,” “I’m happy to be who I am.” This will allow you to see your advantages and opportunities.
- Don’t compare your body to others
Stop whenever you want to draw a parallel between yourself and someone else. There is no “ideal” body type, there is only the body that nature gave you. Take care of him!
- Eat what you want
But make healthy food choices. These will help the body receive all the necessary substances: fiber, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants. From time to time, give yourself permission to enjoy desserts and snacks that you really enjoy. But if they are not considered healthy foods, eat them occasionally, in moderation.
- Listen to your body
For health and well-being, he needs physical activity. Look for a type of fitness that will not be a punishment for you. Perhaps your source of energy will be swimming, Pilates, cycling, roller skating or skating? Find what brings you joy and satisfaction and makes you better.
- Take care of your health
Do not forget to undergo an annual medical examination and take vitamins as recommended by your doctor. But do this not to please someone, but to identify possible problems in time and prevent others from arising.
It is necessary to climb up the stairs without shortness of breath, to take long walks in the park with your children or grandchildren without getting tired, to enjoy life every day, and not to waste precious time on treatment in hospitals.
- Pamper yourself
Don’t deny yourself small gifts just because you don’t fit into someone else’s standards. Go for a massage, have hardware procedures, buy skincare and decorative cosmetics, choose clothes and accessories that you like. You are alone. And you also have one life.
- Appreciate what your body can do
No matter what you look like, you can still hug your family, have sex, read an interesting book or watch a movie. The size of your hips, the smoothness of your skin and the thickness of your hair have no effect on this. Appreciate what you have and then you will have even more. Your body is a huge value, don’t forget about it!