Feeling positively about our bodies every single day is a challenge, especially in a world saturated with diet culture and messages telling us we need to “fix” or change how we look. Most of us aren’t immune to the occasional (or frequent) negative body image day.
That’s where body respect comes in. Instead of focusing on appearance, body respect invites us to care for our bodies with dignity, compassion, and small daily actions, whether or not we like how we look in the mirror.
Unlike body love or body positivity, body respect is less about how you feel about your appearance and more about how you care for yourself. All bodies—regardless of size, shape, or ability—deserve to be treated with dignity. Respecting your body means treating it with respect, listening to it, responding to its needs, and showing up for it in small ways, even on the tough days.
By practicing small, compassionate acts of self-care, you can begin learning to respect your body, quiet negative thoughts, and cultivate a healthier relationship with your body every day. Here are five simple ways to honor your body:
Your body needs and deserves food–period. Nourishment isn’t a reward or something to earn; it’s a basic form of self care. Providing our bodies with foods that satisfy us, energize us, and make us feel good is a great way to show our bodies respect. Eating regularly and consistently sends a message: I’m worthy of care. It is also important to acknowledge that access to food is not always equitable.
Food insecurity, driven by systemic injustices such as poverty, racism, and ableism (we could go on…), means that many people don’t have consistent access to enough food, let alone the kinds of food that feel satisfying and nourishing. If this is part of your lived experience, know that your body still deserves respect, and you are not alone. Nourishment can and should look different for everyone.
Drinking enough water is an effective way to support your body. Try keeping a water bottle nearby or switching it up with teas, sparkling beverages, or other hydrating drinks you enjoy.
Hydration doesn’t have to be boring. For those who do not have access to clean drinking water, whether due to housing insecurity, environmental racism, or lack of infrastructure, this basic need is a justice issue. Access to safe hydration should be a right, not a privilege.
Rest is not lazy—it’s necessary. Whether it’s a full night’s sleep, a mid-afternoon nap, or just 10 minutes of stillness, giving your body time to rest helps you recharge and reset. Respecting your body includes recognizing when it needs a break.
Honoring your need for rest is also an act of resistance in a society that often tells us our worth is tied to productivity. This is especially true for folks living in marginalized bodies who may carry the additional weight of stress from discrimination, hypervisibility, or invisibility. Your body is worth of rest – not only when it’s exhausted, but always.
Social media can influence how we feel about ourselves more than we realize. Oftentimes our feed may be bombarded with diet culture messages, “before and after” transformations, or unrealistic beauty standards that idealize thin, able bodied, individuals. It may be time for a refresh.
Seek out accounts that celebrate body diversity, inclusivity, and authenticity. Body respect also means learning to notice and name when online content is rooted in anti-fat bias, healthism, or classism. You have permission to set boundaries and unfollow anyone or anything that makes you feel less than.
Clothes are meant to fit you—you are not meant to fit into your clothes. Choose clothing that’s comfortable, reflects your personal style, and fits your current body—not a past or future version of it. Dressing with comfort and authenticity is a powerful form of body respect. Your now body is worthy of comfort and care.
And remember: accessibility matters. Not everyone has equal access to clothing that fits their size, disability needs, or gender identity. Advocating for inclusive sizing, adaptive fashion, and clothing equity is part of the broader work of body justice.
As a reminder, we have our free thrift closet in our office in Bethlehem, PA for those in eating disorder recovery! Check out more here!
You may still have questions about what it really means to practice body respect, especially if you’ve spent years body checking, struggling with body dissatisfaction, or feeling unsure about what your body deserves. Here are answers to some of the most common questions we get asked:
You don’t have to love every part of your body and truthfully, most of us won’t. Body love focuses on how your body looks, while body respect is about how you treat and care for the body you’re in right now. Respecting your body means honoring its needs, meeting its basic needs with food, rest, and care, and recognizing that your body deserves dignity no matter your body size or the negative thoughts you might have. Body image is a spectrum that you can learn more about here!
Body respect is one of the core principles of intuitive eating. Respecting our bodies helps us move away from body-shaming and thinness ideals, and toward self-acceptance and health without restriction. When you practice body respect, you’re better able to tune into hunger and fullness cues, honor your body’s needs, and make peace with food. Working with a registered dietitian or certified intuitive eating counselor can help you cultivate this relationship and guide you through the process if you’re struggling with an eating disorder or constant body checking.
Beyond nourishment, rest, hydration, clothing, and curating your social media feed, here are more things you can do that may help improve your body image:
Affirmations can help you form a more compassionate relationship with your body. Here are some ones to start with:
You don’t have to love your body every day, but you can choose to respect it. Small, intentional acts of care add up. When we treat our bodies with kindness and consideration, we shift the narrative away from appearance and toward wellbeing, from shame to empowerment, and from individual responsibility to collective care.
If you’re ready to take the next step in cultivating respect for your body, our weight-neutral dietitians and therapists are here to support you. Click here to book a free call with us today to learn how we can walk alongside you on your healing journey.
Megan is a weight inclusive registered dietitian and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. She is the founder and director of A Soft Place to Land, a multidisciplinary group practice based in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania that specializes in eating disorders, chronic dieting, and body image care. She is fiercely on a mission to be a loud advocate for ethical care of every BODY. Megan’s goal is to provide a weight inclusive and trauma informed safe space with an emphasis on social justice, fat liberation, self-exploration, and compassion. When she’s not taking down the patriarchy, you can find her spending time with her dogs outside, gardening, and painting plant pots!
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