Celebrating your body in all its forms

Every body – regardless of size, age, shape or ability is worthy of celebration. But in a society where thinness is admired and promoted, it can be challenging to accept your body as it is.

Even if you are making lifestyle changes to improve your health – including losing weight – learning to love your body at every stage of your journey can help you maintain your confidence and protect your mental health.

Here are our tips on how you can embrace your body and its uniqueness.

No two people are the same. If you look at the world around you, you’ll notice the differences in the appearances and bodies of the individuals you encounter.

Appreciating the beauty in this difference is important.

Social media has encouraged unattainable beauty standards to become the norm. Images that are heavily edited or produced with AI can distort your ideas of what bodies should look like. But when you can appreciate and acknowledge the natural diversity that exists in your community, you can also start to recognise the individuality of your appearance.

Body positivity is about accepting your body as well as those of others.

If you struggle with coping with the ways that social media impacts your body image, you can try:

• Following accounts that promote body positivity and acceptance. Find and follow accounts that highlight different types of bodies. They can help change your perception of beauty. You should also try to follow accounts that show people doing empowering activities. When you see people of different ages, abilities and backgrounds doing challenging and impactful things, it can help you recognise the ways that everyone, no matter their differences, has value. This includes yourself.
• Acknowledging that your body performs important functions. Your body is more than an object to be observed. It is designed to keep you mobile, fit and healthy. Your arms, legs, chest and abdomen all play a role in allowing you to carry out everyday activities. Focusing on the benefits of each of these parts of your body can help you redefine what it means to be proud of your image.
• Participating in activities that make you feel confident. If social media is making you question yourself and negatively impacting your self-esteem, it might be time to take a break. Opting for activities that boost your confidence and where you receive praise for your achievements can help you feel better.

Self-care is making the effort to look after and protect your physical and mental wellbeing. It can involve anything that helps you feel better. Exercise, reading a book or meditating are only some of the ways you can add it to your life.

It can be a great tool for helping you feel more connected to your body.

Negative thoughts can often spiral. When you criticise one aspect of your image, you might notice that you begin to do the same for others.

Recognising when you’re doing this can help you challenge these ideas. Stop and ask yourself what evidence you have for your feelings and whether you would say these things to a friend or family member.

You can also try reframing your thoughts. So instead of thinking “I hate my thighs,” try saying to yourself, “My thighs are strong and allow me to walk and move.”

Celebrating your body isn’t about perfection—it’s about gratitude, respect, and care. Your body is unique and deserves love for everything it allows you to do. If body image struggles are overwhelming, consider speaking to your GP or seeking support from organisations like Mind or BEAT