Body Neutrality vs Body Positivity

While body positivity is great for those that feel it, loving your body can feel out of reach for most of us.

That’s why in my therapeutic work with adults struggling with body image, I instead choose to talk about body neutrality and acceptance.

What is body neutrality?

Body neutrality is looking at your body for what it is, seeking gratitude for what it does for you and acceptance for it. It moves us away from scrutinising our bodies, judging every flaw and punishing ourselves for it, to a state of acceptance for what our body is and respect for what it does for us.

For example, “my legs are strong, I grateful they’ve helped me put one foot in front of the other throughout my life.” As opposed to having to love the way your legs look.

Why can this be helpful?

This can feel far more achievable to people, and takes the pressure of needing to love every aspect of their body from an aesthetic point of view. It also shifts focus from our bodies being something that are here to look good, from something that helps us to live life and show the markings from that life.

I can be grateful for my laughter lines, giving a physical reminder of all the good times I’ve had with friends and family, without loving how they’ve changed my smile.

I can be grateful for my stomach, for stretching and growing to house my two babies, without needing to love how it looks.

What next?

If you want to rebuild your relationship to your body then I’d love to help. Get in touch today to find out about how therapy can help.