Body Acceptance Week: Learning To Thrive In The Body You Have

Body image is often considered a taboo subject, with so many different opinions about what a body “should” look like expressed through the media and relationships. A person’s own vision of their body can also impact body image, sometimes leading to a lack of acceptance. Body Acceptance Week aims to support positive body image and self-love. This October, learn about the benefits of body acceptance, risks associated with body dissatisfaction, and strategies for learning to accept your own body.

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What is body image and Body Acceptance Week?  

Body image is a term used to describe how a person thinks and feels about the appearance of their own body. Over the past several decades, experts have recognized the importance of accepting one’s own body, leading to various initiatives surrounding body positivity and body acceptance. One outcome of these movements is Body Acceptance Week, established by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) to promote “body positivity, body neutrality, and body liberation for all.”

History of Body Acceptance Week

Body Acceptance Week was established as part of the National Eating Disorders Association’s (NEDA) commitment to eating disorder prevention and supporting those affected by eating disorders and their associated risk factors. During this week and beyond, NEDA focuses on providing resources, education, and support to those experiencing body dissatisfaction.

The inaugural Body Acceptance Week occurred from November 1st to the 5th in 2021 but has since been observed during the last week of October. During Body Acceptance Week, the organization encourages people to accept their bodies and work toward neutrality.

What is body acceptance?

Modern body positivity and body acceptance initiatives in the US began in the 1960s with the fat rights movement. Since then, body positivity has been a growing topic, both online and offline. 

In recent years, conversations surrounding body image have moved away from traditional discussions of body positivity and have focused on body acceptance and body neutrality. Body acceptance describes having respect and neutral opinions about one’s own body, neither loving nor hating it. Body neutrality aims to remove the focus from a body’s appearance and instead on how it makes someone feel and what it can do.

When someone achieves body acceptance, they might recognize their body’s capabilities and function rather than prioritizing its appearance. According to Dr. Susan Albers, PsyD, body acceptance “acknowledges that your body is only one part of who you are — not the totality.”

The importance of body acceptance: Risks of body dissatisfaction 

Without body acceptance, an individual may experience body dissatisfaction. Body dissatisfaction at any level can result in mental and physical health risks, including but not limited to the following. 

Low self-esteem

Self-esteem is defined as “your overall opinion of yourself and beliefs about your abilities and limitations.” When you’re experiencing negative thoughts about your body, those thoughts could impact how you feel and think about other aspects of yourself. Body negativity could also affect your confidence. Low self-esteem can lead to mental health conditions, such as depression.

Depression

Research shows that body dissatisfaction can lead to higher levels of depression. A 2021 study compared levels of body image dissatisfaction to symptoms of depressive disorders in adolescents and concluded that the two could be positively associated. Depression, especially when untreated, can cause various symptoms, including prolonged sadness, hopelessness, sleep disruptions, social isolation, and lack of energy.

Anxiety disorders

Eating disorders

Body dissatisfaction could also lead to various eating disorders. Eating disorders are mental illnesses that affect a person’s eating habits and can negatively affect their psychological and physical health. Examples of eating disorders that could stem from body dissatisfaction might include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. 

Relationship challenges

Low self-esteem, mental illnesses, and other mental health challenges developing due to body dissatisfaction can all impact a person’s relationships with others and relationship satisfaction. A recent study suggests that “one’s own body dissatisfaction is associated with lower levels of their own relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, closeness to partner, intimacy, and connectedness.”

Strategies for learning body acceptance

Body acceptance can accompany physical and mental health benefits. Conversely, body dissatisfaction can pose serious health risks. During Body Acceptance Week, you may choose to prioritize working toward your own body acceptance. The following strategies could help you achieve body acceptance during Body Acceptance Week and beyond.

Avoid comparisons

Social comparisons may cause you to compare your body to someone else’s. Remembering that everyone’s body is unique and serves them differently might be helpful. Comparisons are often “apples-to-oranges” and may not serve helpful purposes. Instead of engaging in comparisons, focus on your own accomplishments.

Be mindful of social media

Social media can create a hostile atmosphere of comparisons and unrealistic expectations. If you notice certain accounts you follow causing you to think negatively about your body, consider unfollowing, muting, or blocking the accounts. You may also choose to seek out accounts that don’t focus on appearances and instead post about your interests, hobbies, or beautiful scenery.

Prioritize your body’s capabilities

You might think about your body in terms of how it's perceived by you or by others, but it might be helpful to shift your mindset to what your body is capable of. Think about how it carries you through the world, makes you strong, or allows you to carry out your hobbies. 

Wear clothing that makes you confident

Refreshing your closet can be a helpful step in learning to accept your body. You might consider donating clothing that no longer fits or makes you think negatively about yourself. Consider seeking out pieces that give you a sense of empowerment and confidence when you wear them.

Surround yourself with positive people

Being around people who frequently criticize how you look or how they feel about their own bodies can negatively impact how you view yourself. Instead, you might choose to be around people who discuss aspects other than appearances. Joining clubs or groups based on your interests can be a place to start when looking for more positive people focused on different topics of conversation.

Be mindful of negative thoughts

Achieving body neutrality may not mean you never have a negative thought about yourself. Instead of leaning into criticism or being mean to yourself when you catch yourself having a negative thought, it might be helpful to recognize the thought, consider the root of it, and do your best to move forward from it.

Practice self-compassion

You may be your own harshest critic. One way to combat negative thoughts about yourself is to talk to yourself in the same way you would talk to a loved one, such as a close friend or family member. Treating yourself with love and kindness may help you learn to accept yourself as you are.

Foster body acceptance and positive self-esteem

Talk to a licensed counselor

Consider cognitive-behavioral therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and changing them to change resulting behaviors and improve mental health. Studies have proven cognitive-behavioral therapy to be an effective treatment method for improving body image and self-esteem. Regularly engaging in CBR techniques could help you work toward body acceptance.

The journey toward body acceptance can be challenging for some people. Additionally, body dissatisfaction can cause various symptoms, such as low self-esteem and social anxiety, that could make it challenging to attend in-person therapy sessions. Online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may remove some barriers and be a helpful resource toward body acceptance. With online therapy, a therapist can guide you through evidence-based therapy techniques over video calls, phone calls, or in-app messaging, allowing you to receive treatment from the comfort of your home.

Research has proven internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to be effective for those working toward body acceptance. A 2022 study analyzed the effects of internet-based CBT on adolescents experiencing low self-esteem, a symptom of body dissatisfaction. The results suggested that the online therapy treatment significantly improved clients’ self-esteem and had a significant positive impact on “secondary measures of self-esteem, self-compassion, quality of life, depression, and anxiety.”