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How to be a Positive Influence for Positive Body Image & Acceptance
Despite positive body image and connection to the body being something we are innately born with, it is also something almost every individual must work on as they develop and grow into adulthood. Much of this is due to the way our society discusses body appearance, weight, shape, and size, and the pervasive belief that this is related to worth.
Hopefully, all of this will continue to change as more people become aware of the harm of stigmatizing body talk and refuse to engage in it. If you are hoping to become part of this shift, there are changes you can make beginning today to become a positive influence for the body acceptance movement.
Have More Positive Body Image Discussions
There are far too many things we struggle with and do not discuss with our loved ones, whether for fear of judgment, rejection, or simply not knowing how to communicate our troubles. This absolutely occurs with body image, as many people do not have open discussions with their support system on how they are feeling about their body, how they can be more appreciative or kind to their body, what they are grateful their body does for them, etc.
It is important that I emphasize this is not encouraging people to assert their judgments of one’s body on others. What I am suggesting is not being afraid to initiate discussions of positive body image, acceptance, and love with those in your circle.
We are all surrounded by negative body talk that seeps into our minds and creates limiting body beliefs that we then perpetuate on ourselves and others. Imagine how much our culture would change if we rejected normalizing body hate and, instead, increased conversations on positive body image, acceptance, and gratitude.
Make an Effort to Challenge Negative Cultural Beliefs
While it is difficult to speak out, no change ever came from silence. If we are to hope for a drastic change in the way our culture perceives and talks about body image and acceptance, we have to challenge problematic views and statements when they arise.
It is possible to do so kindly and compassionately, providing information and insight to individuals whose beliefs are likely products of the very same diet culture misconceptions you are hoping to fight. When you hear diet conversation or negative body talk, compassionately express to the individual(s) how this talk is harmful and how speaking differently about their own bodies or the bodies of others can help them, others, and the next generation.
Consider Your Social Media Presence
Social media plays a huge role in the way that people view themselves, their appearance, and their worth these days. As one researcher asserts, “social media and contemporary digital technologies are the playing field of today’s youth, places where lessons are learned, attitudes are formed, and body image concerns can be cultivated and metastasized into convictions [1].”
How you portray your body and self on social media not only impacts your own self-view but can create the body ideologies of those that view your content. It is easy to get sucked into the validation of “likes” and comments on social media and begin posting with the intention of receiving these in mind instead of more humanistic motivations such as sharing joy, making connections, or spreading a message.
If you say you are a supporter of positive body image and body acceptance but only post content that is heavily filtered, from a “more flattering” angle, and edited, that is curating an image of false perfection more than it is sharing who you really are. Fight the urge to fill your social media feeds with a fake version of yourself that doesn’t truly exist.
The less afraid you become of posting yourself in your unfiltered, beautiful, flawed glory, the less afraid those around you will feel doing the same.
Resources
[1] Williams, R. J., Ricciardelli, L.A. (2014). Social media and body image concerns: further consideration and broader perspectives. Sex Roles; 71.About the Author:
Margot Rittenhouse, MS, PLPC, NCC is a therapist who is passionate about providing mental health support to all in need and has worked with clients with substance abuse issues, eating disorders, domestic violence victims, and offenders, and severely mentally ill youth.
As a freelance writer for Eating Disorder Hope and Addiction Hope and a mentor with MentorConnect, Margot is a passionate eating disorder advocate, committed to de-stigmatizing these illnesses while showing support for those struggling through mentoring, writing, and volunteering. Margot has a Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective on eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer a discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Published March 22, 2021, on EatingDisorderHope.com
Reviewed & Approved on March 22, 2021, by Jacquelyn Ekern MS, LPC
The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.
