Introduction:
Body positivity is the practice of treating the body with kindness and accepting the way it is.
Although it is tough to adapt, it has long-term benefits such as improved overall well-being. In addition, it teaches a non-judging, accepting behavior in society. Body positivity challenges how society views physical appearance as the parameter of beauty and recognizes the judgments on race, gender, sexuality, and disability.
What Is Body Positivity?
Body positivity means showing respect, acceptance, and appreciation for the bodies as they are and for the functions it does.
It includes:
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Accepting that every body type is different and accepting its uniqueness.
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Always carry a feeling of gratitude towards the functions it performs.
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Not judging the body by the parameters created by society.
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Feeling comfortable in your skin.
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Shifting focus from flaws to strength.
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Rejecting the negative image and thoughts toward one's own body.
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Accepting the realities and working on them rather than building dream castles.
What Is the Aim of Creating Body Positivity Awareness?
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Body positivity aims to help people understand the fact that everybody is beautiful. One should make a healthy relationship with their bodies and include healthy food, exercise, clothing, health, and self-care as a routine.
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The positive influence of social media can develop a healthier and more realistic body image.
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There should be fun lifestyle choices (varies from person to person) and nothing to be forced on.
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The main goal is to challenge how society and all media demonstrate the physical ideal of the human body.
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To neutralize the effect and impact of skinny culture and not judge people by their size and weight (body shaming).
History:
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It dates back to 1850, when women first protested against the body shape and use of corsets.
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In late 1960, a fat acceptance movement came into play that focussed on fat-shaming and discrimination based on size and weight.
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In 1969, National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) was established. It mainly dealt with changing public opinions about weight.
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In 2000, the internet was the source where body-shaming and love were spread.
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In 2012, this movement began to emerge again, focussing on the acceptance of weight and that all bodies are beautiful.
Various social media handles and influencers participate in this movement, creating awareness.
Body Positive Movement:
A psychotherapist coined the term body positive from a website in late 1969. Before this time, the ideal loved body type was skinny.
People were shamed and bullied for being overweight. But it was after 1969 that people started appreciating various body types. The body-positive movement acts on how negative messages about bodies and appearance damages people emotionally, physically, and psychologically. Thus it offers a solution to all these harmful beliefs.
What Are the Chief Goals of the Body Positivity Movement?
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Challenging the social model of what is ideal.
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Accepting all body types.
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Addressing the unrealistic body standards.
What Are the Reasons for Addressing Body Positivity?
The main aim of addressing body positivity is for good mental health. By having good mental health, one feels confident and does not underestimate self-worth. On the other hand, having a negative body image is correlated with depression and eating disorders. There are many problems associated with poor body image, that include:
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Low Self-Esteem- Dissatisfaction with one's body, color, and shape is associated with poor self-esteem. One develops a feeling of inferiority.
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Depression and Other Mental Illnesses- Body dissatisfaction (particularly in women) contributes to elevated rates of depression. People do not feel good about themselves, which results in demoralization, decreased confidence, and productivity. It evolves negative thoughts and feelings, which, when not suppressed, may lead to depression.
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Eating Disorders- A feeling of letdown is linked-to eating disorders. The false belief that beauty, success, and esteem are by thinness. When people consider this idea of thinness, they experience body dissatisfaction and may indulge in unhealthy and unnecessary dieting.
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Other Contributing Factors- Plastic surgeries and injections for enhanced and young looks have severely impacted the idea of body positivity. The idealization of skinny culture has directed people towards excessive workout regimens and extreme dieting.
Criticism Faced:
The body positivity movement has faced various problems and critics.
For some, the message of body positivity has made people less aware of their health, and they do whatever they feel like doing.
Others said some consider body positivity as the idea that skinny people are fitter, healthier and happier.
What Are Some Common Misconceptions Regarding Body Positivity?
The concept of society regarding an ideal body type is strong and persistent. Each of us has also thought of having such a body type. Thus, this creates more difficulty in accepting that an overweight or underweight body type is normal.
Some common misconceptions regarding the body's positive beliefs are:
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This idea makes one lazy and unaware of their overall health.
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It intends to neglect diet and exercise, which are beneficial for healthy living.
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These people ignore social messages on body and appearance.
What Are the Steps Taken to Maintain a Healthy Body Image?
The body-positive message states that you should change how you feel about your body (self-love).
But what can be done for such a healthy body image?
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Acknowledgment- Acknowledge that you are not valued based on your shape and size but your skills and work.
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Adopting Body Neutrality- One should admit that not everything in their body is beautiful, but love and care for it endlessly. Body image plays a part in self-image, and it is not everything to be focused on.
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Shift Focus- People should not aim to focus only on the body. They should focus on other aspects also.
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Self-Care Is a Part of Health- One should not aim to look beautiful and do things to change the body type. Exercise should be done to keep your body fit, strong, and energized. Healthy meals fuel the body and brain. It would not feel like forced work, and you will enjoy such a lifestyle.
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Do Not Plan Your Future Versions and Act- Live in the present. Do tasks that fit your present criteria even include buying clothes. Many of us keep and buy things considering our future versions (for example - clothes that are a size smaller) as we have planned to lose weight. This type of habit makes us look bad in our thoughts. And when you can make up for it in the future, it demoralizes you even more. Always choose things that build your confidence and make you comfortable.
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Do Not Compare Yourself With Others- Everyone is different in terms of looks, body types, skills, nature, etc. We should never compare ourselves to others as one might be good at something that you are not at and lacks things - that you master. It simply means - everybody is unique. Just appreciate what you have and move along.
What Is Body Neutrality?
It is the act of accepting your body the way it is, recognizing its abilities and functions it performs, and not simply focussing on how it looks. The word neutrality means being neutral towards your body. You do not have to force a feeling of love on your body every day. Accept it the way it is. The idea of body neutrality says - you may not necessarily love your body every day and can still live happily and appreciate everything it does for you. Your body digests the food you eat and allows you to think, run, love, give birth, etc. It does almost everything necessary for survival. What else better we can ask for. When you accept the idea of body neutrality, you ultimately give it respect, love, care, nutrition, rest, nutritious meals, and exercise. And you begin to feel good about yourself and your body.
This belief is far better as it does not involve false hopes and forced acceptance.
Conclusion:
Body positivity means accepting and appreciating the body you have and not worrying about the effect of natural processes of aging, pregnancy, etc. It works on the principle that everybody is beautiful, and we should not create a genre of what is considered beautiful, be it a skinny body, zero figure, or glossy skin. Body neutrality, as another belief, explains how to accept your body the way it is, not by forcing and feeling the love on oneself every day.
Remember: Everybody is unique.
