Chelsea Whyte Psychotherapy
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Chelsea Whyte is a Registered Psychotherapist in Ottawa providing tailored, compassionate mental health services to school-aged children (age 8+), youth, young adults and their parents/caregivers.
๐ Body neutrality isnโt ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
of body positivity, but ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ body positivity.๐
Itโs important to remember that these differing perspectives are not in competition with each other. Body positivity and body neutrality are lenses to view the world through.
Body ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ emphasizes a whole-bodied perspective - loving your body as it is and letting go of unrealistic and overgeneralized standards of what the body ๐๐๐ to be. The body positivity movement focuses on balanced nourishment, healthy movement, and loving every nook and cranny, wrinkles and all.
Now, you might be asking - Why did the movement change to favour terms like body neutrality? Body positivity doesnโt seem so bad!
And youโre right, itโs not bad. However, there have been some critiques. For many, body positivity fails to separate someoneโs identity from their physical appearance. Some of the narratives driven by body positivity may still accentuate the need to love yourself because of what your body ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐.
What body ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ offers as an alternative to body positivity is the idea that bodies have functions beyond appearance. Body neutrality isnโt necessarily about loving your body or putting pressure on yourself to feel โokayโ in your skin every day. Rather, body neutrality is mindful of the ups and downs and encourages existing within those cycles without judgment.
These two concepts are not in competition with one another - and you donโt have to โpracticeโ just one. Our feelings toward ourselves, our bodies, and the world around us are fluid. There is no need to put pressure on ourselves to think about things the same way day after day. Allow space to follow the waves as they come and go.
More in the comments โฌ๏ธ
Let me take a moment to introduce myself here!
Hi, Iโm Chelsea! ๐๐ผ Iโm a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, Canada. ๐จ๐ฆ
I work in private practice here in Ottawa - at Westboro Psychology and virtually, where I specialize in working with youth and adults, on anxiety, self-esteem, ADHD, body image, and perfectionism.
My reason for showing up here? I hope to make mental health education more accessible, destigmatized, and represented accurately. I just love supporting a connecting with those who share my interests, passions, and values.
๐ ๐ง๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ญ ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฐ ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ ๐ฅ๐ฐ ๐ฆ๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ๐บ ๐ฅ๐ข๐บ.
So, thank you for joining me on this journey. ๐ป
I would describe myself as an โintroverted extravertโ, I love being with other humans but am known to also enjoy a cup of tea and a book, walking through the woods with my pup, โcrafternoonsโ, and playing board games with friends!
๐ท
๐ฝ๐ค๐๐ฎ ๐ฃ๐๐ช๐ฉ๐ง๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฎ - ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ค๐๐จ ๐๐ฉ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฃ ๐ข๐๐๐ฃ?
In recent years, the term โbody neutralityโ has been circulating around conversations on mental health and positive body messaging. But what does it even mean?
Body neutrality is the idea that we can understand our bodies holistically and in ways that are objective and non-judgemental.
Our bodies are not just physical or aesthetic, our bodies mean so much more, including our mental health, the food we eat (the food we ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ), and the powerful movements our bodies make everyday.
Of course, body neutrality is a lens, not a rule - it doesnโt work for everybody. And thatโs ok! Itโs important to listen to yourself and use whatโs best for you :)
What do you think about body neutrality?
# body
๐G r o u n d i n g๐ is a practice that can help you turn away from unwanted and difficult emotions, thoughts, or memories and re-centre on the present moment.
For instance, deep, rhythmic belly-breathing can help regulate your nervous system as well as your body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate.
TIP: Save these ideas for when you need more clarity, calm, or focus in your daily life. Theyโre great to do before an anxiety-invoking event, such as a big presentation or difficult conversation.
Take a moment to reflect. ๐ญ
How would you treat a friend if they were feeling down? Do you treat yourself with the same kindness?
๐ง Think.
โจ Imagine.
โAsk.
๐ฌ๏ธBreathe.
Follow along โฌ๏ธ
Let me know in the comments how youโll be kinder to yourself today.
Letโs talk about self-compassion.
We extend so much compassion to those around us, but when was the last time you showed compassion to yourself?
There are 3 elements of self-compassion we can all be more aware of when weโre feeling stuck, down, or out of place.
โฃ๏ธ Self-kindness
๐ฑ Connectedness
๐ง Mindfulness
How are you showing yourself compassion today?