Practicing Body Neutrality During the Holiday Season

Today | 3 min read

The holiday season can be a difficult time for body acceptance. With many meals, treats and less exercise, people can gain weight and struggle with body image.

Social movements such as body positivity encourage people to love their bodies no matter what. While that approach may work for some, for others it may feel like pressure to love how their bodies look even if they don’t feel that way. With body neutrality, you can let go of negative feelings about yourself and appreciate your body for what it can do. Learn more about body neutrality and how to practice it through the holiday season.

What is body neutrality?

Having negative feelings about your body is common for many people. Up to 40% of women and 30% of men may struggle with their body image, according to a study. Poor body image can cause stress, anxiety and loneliness, all of which contribute to worse health outcomes.

One way to counter that is body neutrality, a movement that focuses on the functions and actions of your body rather than how your body looks or how much you weigh, according to Harvard Health. It started in the mid-2010s as a contrast to body positivity. That can lead to toxic positivity, which can prevent you from allowing yourself to feel the full range of your emotions.

Instead, practicing body neutrality can allow you to be mindful of your thoughts and emotions about your appearance and allow those negative thoughts and feelings to pass without engaging with them. Through body neutrality, you can turn your focus onto appreciating what your body can do rather than trying to force it to look a certain way and removing your self-worth from how you look.

Practicing body neutrality

You can put body neutrality into practice through physical and mental actions, such as:

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a powerful tool that allows you to slow the frantic cycle of thoughts and reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. By directing your minds to the present, you can consider body neutral statements and questions such as:

My body works hard for me and deserves compassion.
All bodies are different and worthy.
I accept my body as it is today.
I appreciate my body for what it does for me.
How can I support and honor my body right now?

Take time to remember how your body allows you to experience joy and connection with others. Dress in a way that makes you feel comfortable and good about yourself.

Eating a healthy diet and enjoying treats without guilt

Overall, eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is nourishing for your body. Eat a healthy diet the majority of the time and enjoy a few seasonal treats. Eat mindfully and savor each bite. Aiming for 80/20, which is where you work to eat healthy 80% of the time, can be a gentle way of sustaining a nutritious diet through the holiday season.

Exercise and movement

Through the holiday season, it can be difficult to find time to exercise. But choosing simple ways to move consistently will help both your mental and physical health. Try going for brisk walks a few days a week, practicing yoga or Tai Chi or dancing in your living room to a fun playlist. Allow yourself to feel the joy of movement.

Exercise doesn’t have to be a punishment. You’re likely to be consistent if you move in a way that makes you feel good.

Image: Getty Images

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