August: Physical Wellness

Physical wellness through

Body Positivity, Body Acceptance & Body Neutrality

Body Positivity is a social movement that promotes equality and acceptance for bodies of all types and sizes. The body positivity movement rose in the 1960s and was created by and for those in marginalized bodies, including larger bodies, Black, queer, and disabled bodies to advocate for people who experience discrimination based on how they look. Body positivity focuses on shifting how you think about your body instead of changing your body itself.

Body acceptance is treating your body with respect and care, including all of your deepest insecurities. Through body acceptance, you reflect on why you feel negatively toward your body and how you can find peace with your body without needing to change it. You don’t have to be thrilled with your body every minute and still figure out how to accept it as it is.

Body neutrality is a philosophy that believes bodies are neither good nor bad instead of focusing on loving how your body looks no matter what or on accepting your body as it is. Body neutrality is also the idea that we can still care for our bodies even if we don’t view them positively, and it does not require that you love your body all the time. Body neutrality promotes the idea that physical appearance does not determine self-worth.