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What Does Being Body Positive Mean?

Body positivity is the act of affirming and appreciating your body for exactly what it is. This means loving your body even if it doesn’t align with cultural or societal constructs.

To start, let’s discuss what body positivity looks like. Then, I’ll cover some simple ways to help you start living a more body positive lifestyle.

What is Body Positivity?

Body positivity is a term that’s thrown around a lot these days — but what does it really mean?

Body positivity is a radical and necessary shift in how we see ourselves and others. Rather than holding each body to a certain specific standard, a body positive person asserts that each body is valid and worthwhile because of (rather than in spite of) its uniqueness.

For example, beauty and worth are often unfairly conflated with certain features, especially in women. While these cultural expectations can shift over time, one of the most common is centered around body weight.

In a truly body positive society, these expectations would not exist. Instead, each person within that community is afforded the agency to exist and thrive, no matter their body type and size.

So How Do You Become Body Positive?

Becoming body positive isn’t always as simple as just making the decision to do so. There are so many factors, from social media to movies to the news, that encourage each of us to feel discontent with our bodies, and it’s only too easy to be self-critical.

But each of us is capable of achieving body positivity. Here are a few ways to get started on loving your body a little more.

Lean On Others

Chances are, there are other people in your family or friend group who are experiencing the same challenges and self-criticisms as you. Don’t be afraid to share, relate, and work together toward achieving body positivity.

Treat Yourself as a Friend

Most of us tend to hold ourselves to a different standard than we hold people around us. This can often lead to a lot of negative self-talk. So, think of yourself as a friend. If your best friend was struggling with personal body image, would you pile on more negativity, or help them feel better about themselves? Treat yourself in that same way.

Focus on Good Health

The reality is that each body is different, and each one is precious. Therefore, the body is worth taking care of. While many health issues are out of your control, attending to the things you can control will help you feel your best. This includes both physical and mental health, and it does not mean obsessively counting calories or spending hours on end at the gym. Instead, it means doing things that make you feel great, which will make body positivity far easier to achieve.

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