Body positivity: The importance of respecting people's choices.

By: Tej Nagar

Body positivity is a complex but important topic in recent times. One of the main reasons this movement gained popularity is because of the fetishism of skinny bodies and the degradation of fat bodies that would frequently happen. People had associated the idea of being skinny with being healthy. This association led people to create misinformation about healthy bodies and set unrealistic expectations. Body positivity advocates believe that our bodies are placed within a certain power through hierarchical standards. This movement challenges unrealistic beauty standards and ideas about physical attractiveness. It helps in improving people's self-confidence and mental well-being. Body positivity isn't a trend. It is a movement. By acknowledging and following this movement, we gain knowledge about the different types of bodies. We learn to respect everyone's bodies as they are. If we don't learn to respect people's bodies and their choices, it can lead to unnecessary hatred being spread in society. We do not know about someone's bodily history, so it's better not to comment about it. Looking at the survey data through a closer lens, we understand the importance of body positivity even more. According to one survey data, the majority of our intended audience (81.9%) had heard remarks that were disparaging about their bodies. This demonstrates that disparaging remarks about body image are still made in India in the twenty-first century. It may be concluded that because of society's expectations of the ideal physique, almost 3/4 of our targeted audience feels under pressure to gain or lose weight.  According to another survey, 53% of American girls are "unhappy with their bodies" around the age of thirteen. By the time girls reach seventeen, this increases to 78%. About their bodies, 50% of teenagers say they are "self-conscious," while 26.2% say they are "dissatisfied." When it comes to their bodies. “Are you happy with your body?” the questioner questioned.  "Yes" was selected by 43.2% of teenagers and 37.7% of women in their 60s. About 40–60% of girls in elementary school worry about their weight or about getting "too fat." Most girls (59%) said they weren't happy with the way their bodies looked, and 66% said they wanted to lose weight. According to a survey, 20% of males and over 40% of women said they would think about getting cosmetic surgery in the future. Regardless of gender, age, marital status, or race, the statistics essentially stay the same.

I have conducted the required research as a research intern working for 'Guides of Perfection.' I am providing the readers with 4-5 recommendations on how they can help to spread awareness regarding my topic: Body Positivity..' I have encountered countless comments about my own body, which has led to the formation of negative body image and self-image. Through this research, I am helping the readers gain valuable insights about the importance of valuing one's own body. I hope you can have a better grasp of the topic through my recommendations.

• Positive affirmations for yourself and for your body. Positive affirmations not only help you to have a better outlook towards the world but also towards yourself. When you repeat an affirmation, you may feel a certain kind of gratitude towards yourself. This tip would be helpful for you if you are someone who has heard negative comments about your body. To unlearn the ideals that someone has put on you, you have to begin to associate yourself with positive affirmations like saying a kind thing to yourself in front of the mirror or repeating encouraging words to yourself.

• Exercise but not as a form of punishment. Exercising is a beautiful way of respecting your body, but not everyone can hit the gym. If you want to exercise daily, consider something that's suitable for your body and its needs. Exercise can be done to express gratitude to your body. Over exercise also leads to complications. Hence, exercise but not to punish your body but to reward it. This tip can be helpful if you have a negative body image and are pressured by society to fit into a certain body type.

• Avoid comparisons This tip might seem as a very prevalent one that you might have heard everywhere. But, we tend to compare ourselves with celebrities or influencers on the Gram. Remember that social media doesn't show things the way they are. It twists and turns things, and people only show their good sides, their results, not the process. So, if you see someone in real life or on the Gram who looks like the 'perfect body type,' try to remind yourself that everybody is built differently. This tip can be helpful if you are surfing on social media sites and constantly find yourself comparing yourself to others.

•  Do something nice for your body. Lay down in the grass, or have a bubble bath, read literature that has body positivity messages, give your body the rest it needs with a nap or a full body massage or head massage. Gift your body the thing it needs the most. This tip can be useful if you find yourself struggling with body image issues, as well as if you're stressed about your body being a certain way that doesn't fit to the norms.

• Practice self compassion and mindful meditation Let your thoughts flow in without judging them. Be aware of your bodily sensations. If you get distracted, don't get frustrated. You can try again. Mindfulness or mindful meditation is a very useful technique that is used by even psychologists to help their clients focus on the present moment. If you focus on the present, you'll be in contact with your body, and you'll slowly even learn to respect it. This tip can be helpful to you if you are someone who has engaged in negative self-talk about your body.

• Seek professional help if you have thoughts of self harm It's possible that you can occasionally want outside assistance in moulding your thoughts. That does not imply that you are "broken" or "helpless." It indicates that, like many others, you require assistance. You're not by yourself. You might require professional assistance if you feel helpless and have thoughts of hurting your body to feel better. You can alter your thoughts about your body and yourself with the assistance of a psychologist. The one who is a reader has the power to bring a change in the world through their thoughts and expressions. Thank you so much for reading my blog. I hope you've now gathered sufficient information about 'body positivity and the importance of respecting people's choices'. You can now spread awareness about the topic by using the recommendations provided in the blog or informing others about it. You can do it, I pinky promise.