What Body Positivity Is and Why It's Important for Overall Health
Welcome to my blog! I'm Hiba Tohme, a registered dietitian and nutritionist. I'll give you my advice and suggestions on a variety of matters pertaining to nutrition and wellness in this blog. I want to talk to you today about the body-positivity movement, which has become more well-known in recent years. Why is body positivity important for your health? What is it? Let's explore!
What Exactly Is Body Positivity?
Regardless of their size, color, ability, or physical features, all bodies should be accepted and celebrated, according to the body positivity movement. It motivates us to appreciate our bodies for what they can do, rather than how they look, and challenges the harmful and unrealistic standards of beauty that society and the media impose on us. It also acknowledges that our inner qualities and accomplishments, determine our worth and value rather than our outward appearance.
The following are some of the movement's key targets:
Improvement of mental and physical health outcomes
Encourage self-love and self-care
Develop a healthy relationship with food and exercise
Reduce stigma and discrimination based on body size or appearance
However, being body positive is more than just having positive body image. It also involves understanding how our well-being is impacted by the social and cultural factors that shape how we perceive our bodies. It involves challenging the messages we receive about how our bodies should behave or look from friends, family, the media, and society. The idea that there is only one way to be attractive or healthy must be rejected. And it's about encouraging and empowering others who might experience roughly equivalent difficulties or challenges.
Why Is Positive Body Image Important for Your Health?
You may wonder why body positivity matters for your health. After all, isn't good health just about getting enough sleep and working out frequently? Actually, not exactly. Health is way more than that. Our mental, emotional, social, and environmental factors also have an impact on our health. And all of these health components can benefit from body positivity.
The following are some benefits of body positivity for your health:
Your mental health can be enhanced by body positivity. According to studies, body dissatisfaction can cause low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and other mental health problems. On the other hand, body positivity can improve your coping mechanisms, resilience, happiness, and self-confidence. You can lessen the stress and negative feelings that result from comparing yourself to others or attempting to fit into unattainable ideals by embracing your body as it is.
Your physical health can also be maximized by body positivity. According to studies, being uncomfortable with your body can also have an impact on your physical health by raising your risk of developing chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and cancer. This is due to the fact that feelings of body dissatisfaction can affect your eating patterns, levels of physical activity, use of substances, and use of healthcare services. In contrast, body positivity can help boost your physical health by promoting the adoption of healthy habits driven by self-care as opposed to self-hatred. You can nourish your body with balanced nutrition, move it in pleasurable ways, and seek professional medical help when necessary, by respecting its needs and signals.
Your social health can be improved by body positivity. Your relationships with others may suffer as a result of body image issues, which can also harm your social health. Because of your body size or appearance, you might isolate yourself from social situations, avoid intimacy, or encounter conflict or bullying. Instead, by fostering positive interactions with others, body positivity can improve your social health. By accepting who you are, you can do the same for others and build communities that are respectful and supportive of one another.
How Can You Be More Body Positive?
Now that you know what body positivity is and why it matters for your health, you may wonder how you can be more body-positive in your daily life. Here are some tips to help you become more body-positive:
You may wonder how to be more positive about yourself in everyday life now that you know what body positivity is and why it's important for your health. To help you feel more positive about your body, let's have a few tips:
Be aware and mindful of how you feel about your body through your thoughts and feelings. Challenge any unfavorable or critical thoughts you may be having about your appearance with something neutral or appreciating. If your first thought is "I hate my legs." You can simply replace it with "My Thighs are Tough and Strong" for that. And rather than saying "I wish I looked like her," you could say "I appreciate my unique beauty.”
You should be thankful for your body's abilities and functions. Try concentrating on what it can do for you rather than worrying about the appearance of your body. You can thank your body for allowing you to move, breathe, see, hear, taste, touch, feel, for example. You might also enjoy the achievements of your body, for example, you run a marathon, give birth, or recover from an illness.
Be kind and compassionate towards your body. You treat your body as if you were treating a friend or loved one. Speak to it with kindness and respect, and avoid harsh or abusive words. Give your body what you need, such as nutritional food, water, rest, and movement. Let your body be pampered with things to make it feel good, such as massages, baths, or kisses.
Be supportive and inclusive of others. Body positivity isn't just about yourself, it's about everybody. Do not forget that every person has, and will face, challenges with their body image as well as the fact that they should be respected and accepted irrespective of size or appearance. Avoid making comments or jokes about other people’s bodies, and challenge any body-shaming or discrimination you witness or experience. And take pride in the beauty and diversity of all bodies.
I hope you'll come away from this blog post with a better understanding of body Positivity. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out. I would love to hear from you. 😊
Sources: Verywell Mind - Psychology Today - Medical News Today
