Written by: Hannah Schlueter, MA, LAC
In today’s world, women and girls are often very familiar with feelings of insecurity about their body. Whether it’s comparisons on social media, the multi-billion-dollar beauty and fitness industries creating unrealistic expectations, or back-handed compliments from friends and family, it can feel like the critical messages about body shape and size are coming from all angles. While recent culture shifts like the body positivity movement can help shed light on the importance of changing the way we talk to and about our bodies, it can be hard to practice consistently. It may feel unrealistic to try and love your body every day, and that is totally understandable. This is where the concept of body neutrality comes in! Body neutrality focuses on what your body does for you, not what it looks like. This helps foster an emotionally neutral stance toward your body. You are not forced to hate it or love it, but rather approach it with acceptance and respect. Have you ever heard the quote “your body is the least interesting thing about you?” Body neutrality wants to help people learn that their physical appearance does not equate to their worth, and instead neutralize the impact of your appearance and what you think of it on your life.
Now you may be saying “Okay, but how do I practice it?” One skill to start using is pointing out the things your body can do. Shifting focus to things your body does for you takes the attention away from physical appearance. Simple reminders about how your arms allow you to hug your friends, your lungs are there to take in the fresh air, and your legs help you dance to your favorite Olivia Rodrigo song each morning while you get ready can be extremely influential in the attitude you have about your body. The point of body neutrality is to build an attitude of respect toward your body, even if you do not always like how it looks. It can take time to re-wire your brain using these skills, especially because of the societal messages around physical appearance and conventional beauty standards. Yet, starting with small changes can make a huge impact over time. Body neutrality can help set you free from constant body scrutiny and instead, create more stable self-esteem and mental well-being. Spend a couple days pointing out all of the amazing things your body does and see how you feel about the shift in the narrative!
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Hannah Schlueter is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) who provides therapeutic services at Evolve Counseling. Hannah specializes in working with teens and enjoys helping them navigate anxiety, depression, identity struggles, self-esteem, and relationships. Hannah has a passion for helping teens overcome their challenges and empower them to grow and improve their overall well-being.