“Let your worth be measured by the love you give, the kindness you share, and the positive impact you have on the world.” – Unknown
Welcome back to the Student Wellness Center’s Winter of Inspiring Intention! As we continue our journey into exploring intentional living (and how to inspire others to do the same), we want to turn our attention towards purposefully creating a kind and accepting relationship with our bodies.
Embracing a body-neutral mindset is one way to shift the focus from unrealistic beauty standards to a more neutral and accepting attitude. It’s a middle ground between body positivity and body negativity (see note) where instead of embracing full and complete body-love, we work towards a more appreciative and non-judgmental stance. “Body neutrality places an emphasis on what your body is capable of, not what it looks like.” – Viren Swami
Embodying body neutrality is not only about how you perceive your own body but also about promoting a positive and neutral attitude towards bodies in general. Here are some ways to inspire body neutrality for yourself and others:
- Practice gratitude for what your body can do – Take a moment each day to appreciate the strength, flexibility, and resilience your body provides. Whether it’s the ability to walk, dance, or even just breathe deeply, acknowledging and celebrating your body’s capabilities can shift your perspective towards a more positive and neutral relationship with your physical self.
- Try: Rather than engaging in exercise solely for the purpose of changing your body, focus on activities that bring you joy and make you feel good. Movement of any kind has benefits for our bodies and mind. The best movement is the one you will stick with! Try out our Yoga for EveryBODY class as one new way to embrace joyful movement.
- Practice self-compassion – When you catch yourself making critical comments about your body, pause and reframe those thoughts with kindness. Treat yourself as you would a friend, offering words of encouragement and understanding. Developing a more compassionate inner dialogue can contribute to a healthier and more neutral relationship with your body
- Try: Let yourself be guided through a Mini Self-Compassion Break when you need help with a reframe.
- Offer Compliments Beyond Appearance: When complimenting others, focus on qualities and actions that go beyond physical appearance. Acknowledge acts of kindness, creativity, and other non-appearance-related strengths to reinforce the idea that worth is not solely determined by looks.
- Challenge Diet Culture Language: Be mindful of the language you use when talking about bodies and diets, both your own and others’. Notice the tendency to discuss the latest fad diet, how many calories are in something, or the notion that eating less is somehow better.
- Try: Shift the conversation to the importance of nourishing the body with yummy foods, engaging in movement that feels good, and prioritizing self-compassion for mental health.
- Celebrate Diversity: Embrace and celebrate the diversity of body shapes, sizes, and abilities. Recognize that there is no one “ideal” body, and beauty comes in many forms. By appreciating and acknowledging the uniqueness of all bodies, you contribute to a more inclusive and accepting environment.
- Try: Dust off your Dartmouth Bystander Initiative (DBI) skills and take action when you hear/see hurtful language or actions that contribute to body shaming.
Everyday we have the opportunity to embrace self-acceptance and inspire a community of kindness and acceptance for all bodies. We invite you to embark on this revolutionary journey towards greater body freedom, and know that you don’t have to do it alone:
Resources to support your relationship with body image and food:
1. Nutrition and Eating Well at Dartmouth
2. Nutritional Wellness Team
3. SWC Wellness Check-Ins
Note: While body positivity and body neutrality each has its own value, the article Body Positivity vs. Body Neutrality, from VeryWell Mind, posits how taking a dual approach to our bodies may be best.