Hey there!
It’s SO normal to have mixed feelings about your body — especially with everything the world throws at you about how you “should” look.
Our hope is that this workbook gives you space to take meaningful steps toward appreciating your body, and that the thoughts and feelings you hold about your body become more neutral.
We don’t expect you to be proclaiming from the rooftops that you love your body, though you’re always welcome to. Your body is INCREDIBLE just as it is, and we hope to inspire you to celebrate and accept it just as it is today.
What is body appreciation?
Put simply, body appreciation is the ability to accept the body that we have without judgment and reject unhelpful messaging that tells us what our bodies should or shouldn’t look like. All of this to say, there are going to be days where the way we feel about ourselves will challenge us, but that is no reason to take steps to change our body. What is of most benefit to our wellbeing is to accept and appreciate our bodies just as they are today.
When we accept our bodies, it is easier to reject messaging online, in the home, at school or at sports that tell us we need to look a certain way. Not only do we gain greater appreciation of ourselves, we also become more accepting of others and celebrate the differences in the way bodies look and function.
Workbook Highlights
You will learn:
The factors that influence the way we see our bodies
How to appreciate your body as it changes and grows
The value of celebrating what our bodies can do
How to embrace body diversity
The role of the inner critic
Tools to practice self-compassion
How to find self-worth that extends beyond physical appearance
How to support a friend that might be struggling
Body appreciation isn’t something that happens overnight (we wish!), but there are steps you can take to move closer to it. The best part is that we are here to hold your virtual hand every step of the way.
The workbook has been designed for you to go at your own pace so there is no need to rush. We recommend that you go in order because each theme builds upon the last.
Talking about body appreciation isn’t always easy. You can stop at any time! And if you need to talk to someone, you could reach out to a parent or trusted adult, your doctor or mental health provided, or contact:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
- Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673 (Body image support)
- This is Your Body for one-on-one body image & nutrition support with Gel
- Hot Chocolate Circle.
Let’s get started!
