Body neutrality or why is ok to not love your body sometimes but rather own it

How many of us have not stood in front of the mirror and analyzed our reflection in detail? Why do we torture ourselves in criticizing what keeps us connected to reality?

In a society where we are daily exposed to diet culture, this may put our well-being at risk due to stigmas that could alter the perception of our bodies.

To counteract the above, body neutrality is a way of finding a perspective of self-acceptance. It’s a mindset of embracing of the body as part of our functionality rather than defining our whole identity through it.

What is body neutrality?

Body neutrality is a movement that intends to decentralize the body as an object by taking a neutral perspective towards it. It challenges the concept of giving complete worth to the way you look. 

Rather than having to constantly love for your body or make an effort, body neutrality focuses on what you do with your body and how you think and feel.

Anne Poirer, the pioneer of the “Body Neutrality Workshop”, described the movement as “not supporting the hatred of our vessel (our physical structure) or the love and adoration of our vessel.”

Body neutrality vs Body positivity

There’s a difference between these concepts, even if both aim at a mindset that challenges traditional beauty standards. 

Body positivity is a movement that encourages you to love and feel good about your body, no matter its size or looks. Body positivity emphasizes the idea that everyone is beautiful. 

Yet, many have questioned it by pointing out that this mindset creates new beauty standards since its concept still centers on physique worship. 

On the other hand, the body neutrality movement offers a more realistic approach by acknowledging that there will be days when you may not love your body, which is ok. Its goal is to help people avoid valuing themselves based on their beauty.

Body neutrality is an outlook that doesn’t give labels, focuses on “how you feel” instead of “how you look”, and moves away from beauty standards by ignoring them. 

How to start practicing body neutrality

There are articles and researches done by experts, such as psychiatrists and non-profit organizations, in order to know how to incorporate this movement properly. Here are some of their advice on how to practice body neutrality:

Drop body talks from your conversations: Do not comment on others’ bodies or compare with them. This also includes talks that you have with yourself. For example, instead of criticizing yourself when your jeans feel a little tight, counteract this negative self-talk with some body-neutral phrases like having a pair of thighs and legs that help you get to your destinations.

Adequate attire: Choose clothes that you like AND that feel comfortable. You’re the one who’ll wear the outfits.

Cleaning up social media feed: Mute or unfollow social media accounts that make you feel a type of way about your body.

Listen to your body: Opt for fun physical activities, not the ones that feel like punishment. When you feel tired, don’t give yourself a hard time. There are times to be active, but also to rest.

Eat intuitively: When you’re hungry, eat. When you’re full, stop eating. Choose meals that you enjoy, and that you digest comfortably. But be aware that this does not mean that if you are craving a full bag of chips, it’s ok for you to eat. You have to differentiate between what’s good for your health and what isn’t.

Focus on your strengths: Think about your unique talents. What are you good at? What do others like about you? You can even write a list of them.

Our thoughts MATTER: How we talk to ourselves may be an unintentional obstacle to creating optimal health. To avoid it, change the default thinking one thought at a time: Recognize the thought, take a timeout from it (breath), reframe the idea.

Self-acceptance: Neutrally acknowledge how your body functions well and how it may not be without shame. Example: “My arms allow me to hug”. “I may not have a six-pack, but my midsection has always kept my organs safe”.

Take your time: Any change requires time and dedication, and this includes shifting your thoughts to a neutral midpoint. Have patience with yourself as you seek to embrace the mindset of body neutrality.

It’s a challenge, without a doubt. But it’s not impossible. The purpose of it is to stop appealing unrealistic expectations and reach a state of well-being with ourselves. 

Images from: PxHere, Pixabay