The Body Positivity Movement

What is Body Positivity 

Body positivity is a movement that has gained popularity in recent years. It is all about accepting and loving your body, regardless of size, shape, or imperfections. Does this mean one should be comfortable and not feel pushed to improve their body? No, this isn’t the reality, it's more about being comfortable in your skin regardless, even while you improve and take care of yourself. 

Loving all of your curves helps break down these beauty standards and promotes a more practical idea of beauty. It celebrates diversity and encourages people to love their bodies for what they are rather than trying to conform to unrealistic expectations. Promoting body positivity also encourages people to be gentle and kind to themselves even in the presence of shortcomings.  As individuals, we are self-critical and tend to focus mainly on our flaws, but this can be damaging to our self-esteem. Instead, we should focus on self-love and self-acceptance, which can boost our confidence and improve our overall mental well-being.

A great example of body positivity is to look at ourselves and embrace our beauty by praising the areas of our bodies we don’t even love.  In a society that places a great emphasis on physical appearance, body positivity is a refreshing change for children, men, and women. It encourages people to embrace their bodies, no matter what they look like. It promotes the idea that everybody is beautiful and that everyone deserves to feel confident and comfortable in their own skin.

Active Steps to Implement Body Positivity in Your Life

Body positivity promotes the love of self regardless of physical features like body shape and weight. Consider these steps if you desire to go in your body-positivity journey: 

• Focus on the parts of your body you love: spend less time criticizing yourself based on your flaws, and instead focus on what you like about your body. This could be anything from your eyes to your bright smile.

• Comparison steals true joy. Put the habit of comparing yourself to others to rest forever. Social media and magazines can make it easy to compare yourself to others, but it's important to remember that everyone's body is unique. At all times, try to appreciate the naturalness of bodies around you and recognize that there is no "perfect" body and that each and every person is beautiful. 

• Tackle negative self-talk: If you notice yourself harboring negative thoughts about your body, challenge them by reminding yourself of your positive qualities and entertain those thoughts instead. Be true to this step each and every day to boost self-confidence and mental health. 

• Pay attention to the people in your space: Surround yourself with positive influences. Share the presence with individuals who support body positivity and avoid media that promotes negative body image. Be deliberate about finding body-positive accounts on social media for inspiration for yourself and others.

• Support Brands: Another vital way to get involved is to support brands and companies that promote body positivity. Many popular and new upcoming clothing brands now offer a wider range of sizes and promote inclusivity in their advertising. By supporting these brands, you're sending a message that you value diversity and acceptance.

It is important to note that body positivity is not about promoting an unhealthy lifestyle. It is about accepting and loving your body, no matter what shape or size it is. This does not mean we should neglect our health or engage in unhealthy behaviors. Neither does it mean to neglect physical activity to improve areas of our body.

Final Thoughts

Body positivity is a movement that promotes self-love, self-respect, body confidence, and mental well-being. It challenges unrealistic beauty standards and promotes a more inclusive idea of beauty that uplifts the character instead of tearing it down. 

By embracing your individuality and practicing self-love, you will happily improve your confidence and overall quality of life. 

All hands on deck-let us all join hands and spread the love message of body positivity!