Body Positivity vs Body Neutrality – Which is Better?

Body Positivity vs Body Neutrality – Which is Better?

Written by: Jordan Kadish

Reviewed by: Melissa Cammack, LPC

The weather is warmer and the days are longer — it’s finally Summer, the season many of us have been waiting for all year! For many, these next few months are full of fun leisure activities with family and friends, like vacations, beach trips, and hanging out by the pool. You may feel totally content with your body the rest of the year, but during the summer months, when you are more likely to be wearing clothing that exposes more skin, or a bathing suit, insecurities may arise. Suddenly, you may become hyper-aware of how your thighs rub together in shorts, the extra fat under your arms in tank tops, and the fullness of your stomach in a two-piece bathing suit. Or, perhaps you feel insecure about your extra-thin figure and wish you could have the curves of the models in magazines. Whatever your insecurities may be, Summer can be an especially triggering month for those with body image concerns. 

You may recognize the terms “body positivity” and “body neutrality,” as they fairly recently became popular buzzwords, especially in the mental health community. These words pertain to how we view our body and appearance, and how it can affect our mental health and self-image. But, what is the difference between these terms, and more importantly, which is better? We will discuss the differences in this blog post! 

What is Body Positivity [1]?

Body positivity is exactly what it sounds like — viewing your body positively. This means loving and admiring your body, regardless of societal standards. It focuses on promoting self-acceptance and confidence, and less of a need to “change” your body to fit into what society views as beautiful. Those who practice body positivity may speak positive affirmations about their body, such as: 

• “I love the way I look. My appearance is part of what makes me, me!”

• “I don’t care if people stare at me. I will wear what I want and love myself in it.” 

• “My body deserves love and respect, unconditionally.” 

The body positivity movement has blossomed on social media in the past few years, with many influencers with “non-traditional” body types posting proud mirror selfies with the hashtag #BodyPositive. The movement has comforted and validated many individuals who also feel as though they have untraditional or undesirable body types, as they can see their shape and size represented on social media. Seeing someone else who looks similar to you wholeheartedly loving their body can be very inspiring and uplifting for those who are not quite there yet on their journey to self-love. For example, Lizzo, the talented pop star, promotes self-confidence for bodies of all shapes and sizes in her music and social media. She is known for promoting messages of self-love and embracing your unique qualities, which has made an impact on her audience. 

What is Body Neutrality [2]? 

Body neutrality as a term may sound a bit more confusing compared to body positivity. You may be wondering how someone can be truly neutral about their body. However, with practice, body neutrality can be very effective in driving focus away from negative thoughts surrounding your body, and towards a perspective of self-acceptance. Some body neutrality affirmations include: 

• “I appreciate my body for what it allows me to do in life.” 

• “I release the comparison and view my body for what it is.” 

• “I choose to focus on my internal qualities rather than my external appearance.” 

Many people find shifting the focus inwards or seeing their body for exactly what it is as helpful, rather than attempting to view their bodies positively. For some, body positivity can feel like a stretch, and a false sense of optimism. Instead, focusing on the facts helps ground themselves in a viewpoint that accepts appearance, but builds confidence in what they can believe in more recently — such as your body’s ability to see, walk, hear, touch, eat, and think. Being grateful for these senses and abilities, rather than focusing on appearance, ultimately makes an appearance less important to individuals in the long run. Someone who has practiced body neutrality for a long time may go to the beach thinking, “I am so grateful that my body allows me to swim in the ocean and feel the sand beneath my feet,” rather than, “I should love the way I look in a bathing suit.” 

Is one better than the other [3]? 

The short answer to this is, no. There is no “right answer” for how people should view their bodies. As long as you aren’t negatively affecting your mental health with how you think about your body, either body positivity or body neutrality can work well. However, it is important to note that switching gears from a negative body image right to forced body positivity can feel difficult for many individuals. Many individuals have to focus on a middle ground, like body neutrality, that doesn’t put so much emphasis on appearance, before feeling truly positive and confident about their body. And that is okay! 

It is also important to note that although doing what works best for you as an individual is most effective, we as a society may benefit from working towards a body-neutral standpoint. For ages now, society has been hyper-focused on appearance — what needs to be “fixed,” enhanced, or changed. Body neutrality focuses on a way more important matter: what is inside. This notion will likely help us as a society and reduce the amount of body-image issues that people develop, particularly in impressionable children. 

Tips for Those Struggling With Body Image: 

• Practice Self-Compassion: What you are dealing with is difficult. Cut yourself some slack and recognize that body image issues are common, and be patient with yourself when coping with them. 

• Focus on Health: By putting a focus on health, rather than appearance, we can shift the emphasis on fitting into society’s standards towards becoming healthier and happier individuals. Instead of going to the gym in hopes of appearing thinner, go to the gym to get your heart pumping and become stronger. Instead of going on a strict diet so you look more “beach-body ready,” eat a healthy and balanced diet so that your body has energy to help you function throughout the day. 

• Limit Social Media Exposure [4]: Social media can be a dangerous place for those who struggle with comparing themselves to others. Cut back on your screen time on social media apps, and instead use that time to do something more constructive and better for your mental health. 

• Seek Professional Help: There is no shame in needing additional support on your mental health. Mental health professionals can help give you practical suggestions and tips on increasing your self-esteem, cutting back on unhealthy habits, and getting you to a healthier place regarding body image.