Bodies Unfiltered

By Kat K.

What is Body Neutrality?

Simply put, body neutrality is accepting and respecting our bodies without judgment. The focus is to be grateful for our bodies’ abilities rather than their physical appearance. Some of the best ways to practice body neutrality are:

• Practice being grateful for the body’s functionality
• Try not to compare yourself to others
• Shift your focus to the body’s strengths and abilities
• Challenge any negative self-talk or thoughts
• Participate in activities that are good for your mental and physical well-being

Body neutrality also emphasizes the idea that there is no such thing as the ideal body type. Our bodies are not only all different, they are constantly changing. It is just as unfair to compare yourself to others’ bodies as it is to compare your body to what it used to look like. This comparison steals your ability to appreciate your body in the present. Bodies are for more than just dressing up and admiring, they are for living in. 

Though it may not be the concept for everyone, practicing body neutrality can promote body acceptance, shift the mind’s focus to more positive thoughts and behaviors, and reduce anxiety about the body.

Difference Between Body Neutrality and Body Positivity

Body neutrality focuses on feeling indifferent towards one’s body, and focuses more on the body’s purpose rather than how it looks. Body positivity focuses on celebrating one’s body and physical appearance, flaws and all. Body positivity also challenges societal beauty standards and encourages body acceptance. Both can be healthy approaches to curating a positive relationship with one’s body, it just depends on what you prefer and need. 

It can be hard to maintain a positive outlook on our bodies constantly, making body neutrality feel like a more realistic approach for many. It can be the practice that someone needs, or it can serve as a stepping stone to practicing body positivity. Loving your body’s appearance everyday can start to feel like pressure, which makes body neutrality an easier way to simply appreciate what your body does and can do. Negative feelings about our bodies are bound to happen, and sometimes it is better to recognize these feelings rather than overriding them with positivity that doesn’t feel authentic.

Some people find they can practice body positivity one day and then body neutrality another day. Some people stick to one for several years because that is what works. At the end of the day, it is your body and the best approach to body image is completely up to you.