We’ve been hearing it all over the media, social media, and big advertisements. Body positivity! What is body positivity, and how does it differ from body neutrality? According to information on Medical News Today, they are quite different. 

Body positivity is a social movement that advocates for the acceptance of all bodies, regardless of size, shape, skin tone, gender or physical abilities. This movement challenges unrealistic beauty standards and ideals. 

So then, what is body neutrality?

It is a relatively new term that many are starting to hear. Body neutrality is an approach between body positivity and body negativity. It is neither loving nor hating your body. It’s based on the notions of acceptance and having respect for one’s body rather than love. 

By prioritizing the body’s function and what it can do rather than its appearance. We don’t have to love or hate our bodies. We can feel neutral about them. 

This approach acknowledges that your body is only one part of who you are and not the totality. It also shouldn’t dominate how you feel about yourself.

What are the differences between body positivity and body neutrality?

The key difference between these two movements rests in the idea of value. 

The body-neutral approach leans toward the belief that it doesn’t matter if you think your body is beautiful or not. Your value is not tied to your body nor does your happiness depend on what you look like. 

A body-positive approach says you are beautiful no matter what. It can be helpful to hang body-positive affirmation statements in places you’ll see them. It could be on your mirror, your desk, or as a wallpaper on your phone. These messages will seep into your subconscious every time you take a glance at them 

Some great body positive affirmations that you can try could include: 

• I am beautiful/handsome. 
• I love my body. 
• I am perfect as I am. 
• I am happy with how I look. 
• I like the person I see in the mirror. 
• I am proud of my body. 

Mindfulness plays a major part in body neutrality

A lot of body dissatisfaction comes from comparing yourself to what your body looked like in the past or comparing it to other people. Comparison is the thief of joy! Instead, mindfulness trains your mind to focus on the present and what you currently look like. 

Mindfulness is rooted in the language of nonjudgment. It’s simply observing, being aware and taking note. 

This assigns no value or indication of whether something is good or bad. 

Some great examples of body-neutral statements that you can use: 

• I accept my body as it is. 
• My body helps me in many ways. 
• How can I honor my body today? 
• My body works hard and deserves kindness. 
• I am thankful for my body because it does so much for me. 
• All bodies are different and that’s totally fine.