Body Image, Body Positivity, and the New Year

December 30, 2024

Body Image, Body Positivity, and the New Year

Body positivity can become tougher when you are surrounded by body shaming, teasing, bullying, and bad comments during the holidays. These issues can make you feel self-conscious about your body when you are with family, friends, and invited guests. However, body positivity can reduce your stress and can make you rediscover your self-confidence. Also, you might be less self-conscious about your clothes and your appearances. Yet, taking care of one's self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence is necessary to feel good about oneself.

Every New Year makes me reflect on my body image, my self-esteem, self-confidence, and my self-worth. Nonetheless, there are times when I might end up overeating during the holidays and feel guilty after that. There might be other times when I feel depressed because of having a tough time losing the last ten pounds that my doctor recommended. However, it is necessary to practice self-love, self-awareness, and develop a positive mindset with one's body image. Additionally, do not let anyone make you feel uncomfortable or make you want to change your body.

Be careful when you are dating someone who wants to make you gain weight or lose weight because of their ideal body in a partner. Additionally, be cautious when you are dating someone who wants to change your clothing, your shoes, your hair, and facial features. Often this can make you feel confused and make you feel depressed about your body shape, size, and appearance. Keep in mind that if someone wants to change their body, it is not a healthy relationship. Celebrate the new year with optimism and with body positivity.

There are four facets that one needs to understand when it comes to body image. First, see yourself and see your body with body positivity. Perceptual body image is important because this can change your thoughts about how you see your body. Second, pay attention to how your body feels. For example, if you are in pain or feel tired; Make sure you listen to your body and take care of your pain.

Affective body image is necessary for you to understand your body and to take care of yourself. Third is how you think about your body. Cognitive body image can make you feel better or worse depending on your thoughts. Last, one's behavior can affect your body image and your motivation for taking care of your body. Behavioral body image is challenging and keeps changing one's perception of one's body.

Seeking professional therapy and medical counseling is essential for one's behavioral body image, self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-worth. Body positivity can be practiced during the new year and every year by practicing self-acceptance. As well as learning to accept comments, compliments, and to avoid joking about your body image. Exercise for your health and exercise with gratitude regarding your body. Learn about what clothes you like to wear and understand how you feel when you get dressed for work, family events, and other fun activities.

Avoid asking for approval of how you look and approval of what you wear with your partner. Practice self-care, self-love, self-kindness, and self-compassion with your partner and with yourself when it comes to each other’s body image. The holidays might be tough due to emotional distress, overeating, being surrounded by negative people, and other situations that might occur during the holidays. Also, having a bad body image days can make one do more negative self-talk instead of positive self-talk. Here is a brief list of how to practice body positivity for New Year's Day and throughout the year.

Dance in front of a mirror and dance with a smile.
Do a self-care day when you are feeling tired such as a bath with essential oils or a bubble bath.
Do stretches and exercise with a smile.
Take care of your skin daily with a morning and night routine.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes as you exercise.
Practice positive affirmations for your body positivity.
Practice body positivity with quotes or make your personalized motto to keep you feeling motivated.
Practice complimenting yourself with positive self-talk.
Surround yourself with people that make you feel comfortable, happy, and optimistic about yourself.
Compliment and support your partner's body image with kindness.
Exercise with your partner and eat healthier meals together.
Encourage your partner to do activities for your physical and emotional wellness such as cycling, swimming, dancing, tai-chi, or yoga.
Communicate with your partner and let them know how you feel when they use negative language about your body changes or weight gain.
Get a Swedish massage, a facial, or a foot massage.
Practice body acceptance and gratitude with a journal.
Do not be afraid to practice self-expression.
Practice inner beauty.
Understand your body image triggers.
Practice Movement Meditation or meditation to help you relax.
Avoid making comparisons with your siblings or with your friends.

In summary, taking care of one's body image can be tough during the holidays and after the holidays. However, finding strategies for coping with bad body image days and learning to accept oneself can make you feel better. Also, it can make you want to improve your body image for yourself and not for anyone else. If you are having difficulties in coping with your body image because of a health condition, postpartum, or an eating disorder; Always consult with a therapist and with your primary doctor. Below are websites about self-care and other tips for having a positive body image.

Self-Care Tips For Body Image During the Holidays:

Self-Care Tips for Body Image During the Holidays

My Top 5 Tips for Positive Body Image Postpartum:

My Top 5 Tips for Positive Body Image Postpartum