What is body positivity?

Explains body positivity as a way of promoting self-acceptance and diversity, offering strategies like gratitude, positive influences, and self-care to help teens embrace their bodies and build confidence in a supportive and inclusive way.

About this article...

  • Suitable for members aged 12-17
  • 6 minute read
  • 1,110 words (2.8 sides of A4)
  • Providing help and guidance on Body image and Mental Health
  • Created and reviewed by our team of experts

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Body positivity is a movement and mindset that encourages people to embrace and celebrate their bodies, no matter their shape, size, colour, or appearance. It challenges the unrealistic beauty standards promoted by society and the media, focusing instead on self-acceptance, diversity, and mental health. For teenagers, understanding and practising body positivity can help build confidence, reduce stress, and create a more inclusive environment where everyone feels valued for who they are.

What Is Body Positivity?

Body positivity is about recognising that all bodies are worthy of love and respect. It's a rejection of the idea that there is only one way to be beautiful and an effort to promote acceptance and appreciation for all types of bodies. The movement also seeks to address how societal pressures, media portrayals, and personal insecurities can lead to negative body image and low self-esteem.

The Origins of Body Positivity

The body positivity movement began as a response to the discrimination faced by people with larger bodies. Over time, it has grown to include other aspects of diversity, such as skin colour, disabilities, scars, and other physical differences. Today, it's about celebrating individuality and encouraging people to focus on their strengths rather than their perceived flaws.

Why Is Body Positivity Important?

Body positivity plays a crucial role in mental and emotional wellbeing. Here's why it's important:

1. Promotes Self-Acceptance

Body positivity encourages you to accept and love your body as it is, reducing the pressure to meet unrealistic beauty standards.

2. Challenges Harmful Norms

By rejecting narrow definitions of beauty, body positivity helps create a more inclusive society that values people for who they are, not just how they look.

3. Supports Mental Health

Focusing on self-acceptance can reduce anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem caused by negative body image.

4. Encourages Healthy Habits

Body positivity shifts the focus from changing your appearance to feeling good, which can lead to healthier relationships with food, exercise, and self-care.

The Real-Life Impact of Body Positivity on Teenagers

For teenagers, body positivity can be life-changing. Here's how it can affect your daily life:

1. Improved Confidence

When you stop comparing yourself to unrealistic standards, you can focus on your strengths and unique qualities, boosting your self-confidence.

2. Reduced Social Pressure

Practising body positivity can help you feel less pressured to conform to beauty trends or alter your appearance to fit in with others.

3. Healthier Relationships

Focusing on self-acceptance can improve how you relate to friends, family, and peers, as you become more comfortable with yourself.

4. Greater Resilience

Body positivity helps you develop the tools to handle negative comments or societal pressures, building emotional resilience.

Practical Strategies for Embracing Body Positivity

Learning to practise body positivity takes time, but small changes can make a big difference. Here are some practical strategies to help:

1. Challenge Unrealistic Standards

Recognise that media images are often edited or filtered and don't reflect reality. Instead of comparing yourself to these unrealistic portrayals, focus on what makes you unique.

2. Practise Gratitude

List things you're grateful for about your body. For example: What is body positivity?
  • "I'm thankful for my strong legs that make me good at athletics."
  • "I appreciate my hands for helping me create art."
Focusing on gratitude can help shift your perspective from appearance to function.

3. Surround Yourself with Positivity

Follow social media accounts that promote body positivity, diversity, and self-acceptance. Spend time with people who make you feel valued and supported.

4. Avoid Negative Self-Talk

When you catch yourself being critical of your body, pause and reframe your thoughts. Replace "I don't like how I look" with "I am more than my appearance."

5. Celebrate Diversity

Recognise that beauty comes in all forms. Learning about different cultures, body types, and abilities can help you appreciate diversity and see beauty in everyone.

6. Focus on Your Talents

Shift your attention to your abilities, skills, and accomplishments rather than how you look. Celebrate what makes you unique and special.

7. Engage in Self-Care

Take care of your body in ways that feel good to you, such as:
  • Eating nourishing foods.
  • Staying active in ways you enjoy, like dancing or swimming.
  • Getting enough sleep to feel rested and energised.

8. Be Kind to Others

Body positivity isn't just about how you see yourself; it's also about how you treat others. Avoid making negative comments about anyone's appearance and celebrate their unique qualities instead.

9. Educate Yourself

Learn about the history and goals of the body positivity movement. Understanding its importance can help you become a more active advocate for change.

10. Seek Support

If you're struggling with body image or self-acceptance, talk to someone you trust, such as a parent, teacher, or counsellor. They can provide guidance and support.

When to Seek Professional Help

If negative body image is significantly affecting your mental health, it's important to seek professional support. Signs you might need help include:
  • Constantly feeling unhappy or anxious about your appearance.
  • Avoiding social situations because of self-consciousness.
  • Engaging in unhealthy behaviours, such as extreme dieting or over-exercising.
Talking to a counsellor or therapist can help you develop healthier thoughts and behaviours, improving both your body image and overall wellbeing.

Final Thoughts

Body positivity is about more than just loving how you look, it's about embracing who you are and rejecting unrealistic beauty standards. By practising self-acceptance, challenging harmful norms, and focusing on your strengths, you can build confidence and create a healthier mindset. Remember, true beauty comes from being yourself, and everyone deserves to feel valued and respected. If you're struggling, don't hesitate to reach out for support, help is always available to guide you on your journey toward self-love and positivity.

How are you feeling?

It is really important that when we need help, we feel able to ask for it. This could be speaking to a parent, a close friend, a teacher or someone else you trust. Sometimes it can be really hard to share our feelings with other people but if we are feeling low or don't know where to turn, sharing with others is really important. Teachers will always take you seriously and listen to your problems in confidence if you approach them for help. Likewise, parents, siblings or friends will help you if you reach out to them.

If you feel like you can't speak to anyone you know, there are people and organisations that can help support you:

  • Childline - Call them on 0800 1111 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
  • NSPCC - Call them on 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email them on help@NSPCC.org.uk
  • The Samaritans – Call them on 116 123 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
  • SANE – Call 0300 304 7000 for support (4:30pm - 10:30pm every day)
  • Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (9:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday)

*Sometimes we will use real life examples in our articles to aid understanding. When we do, names and ages will be changed.