Give the gift of body respect this Christmas

It may only be November but the C word is already everywhere and excitement is steadily building. For some, this time of year is as wonderful as the song says, but not for everyone — especially with the dollop of body-shame that tends to come with it. This year, we want to change that with our Advent fundraising campaign…

While many people find their mental health improves over the festive period, YouGov research has found that more than two out of five people feel stressed. Tension can be caused by many things, but we already know that body image is an issue for many whatever the time of year.

Half of children and young people are dissatisfied with their bodies. This often comes from unhelpful messaging passed down through generations and is perpetuated by societal and social media standards. At the time when families get together, our calendars and feeds go crazy, and looking at and talking about other people’s bodies seems just as much a ritual as sprouts and crackers, Christmas can make this situation a whole lot worse. 

But this December, in the lead up to the big day, the Body Happy Org is reframing fear and shame into celebration. Every day of Advent, we will share a challenge for you and your family. We will inspire you to shift conversations, spread kindness and find joy and gratitude in the power of your body. Research shows a simple shift in perspective creates a powerful buffer against self-criticism. But it's also good fun! And we would love to raise money for our Body Happy Schools Programme to help us build body respect in future generations.

Take the challenge

If you'd like to take it further, make it a sponsored challenge! Every day, either by yourself or as a group, go out and have fun moving your body and/or relaxing your mind  — all in the name of body respect. 

Take inspiration from our two fabulous fundraisers Terri and Allie. Fresh from their Channel adventure, they are leading the Seas the Season coastal advent challenge — encouraging participants to get into the water every day (whether that’s the sea, a river, lake or pool) to stay active, connect with the water and celebrate what their bodies can do. Each day corresponds with the Advent number — for example, swim for five minutes on the 5th, with six people on the 6th or drawing 10 on GPS on the 10th!

Don’t worry if water’s not your thing, move your body on land, with a walk, cycle or some team sports. Or clear your mind with a puzzle or some meditation. We’ve come up with some land, sea and sky themed suggestions to get you started. It doesn’t matter what you do — every fundraiser moves us closer to a world where children grow up free from body shame.

Why it matters

Unfortunately, underneath the tinsel and the glitter, Christmas can sometimes have a darker side. There are constant conversations about what we can and can't eat. Extended family members who we rarely see feel obliged to comment on how our bodies have changed since last year. And there’s the pressure of fitting into party dresses and Christmas outfits, and how you'll look in photos. Then, in January, there's the whole ‘new year, new me’ charade, fuelled by those familiar guilt-laden messages about festive eating and the pressure to “make up for it” through appearance-focused “self-improvement.”. 

Diet culture may have had a rebrand, with blatant anti-fat bias being replaced with talk of “wellness” and “self-care”, but the message remains the same — eating is “naughty” and our bodies need fixing. These conversations start with adults and echo through generations, teaching young people exactly the same. And so the cycle of shame continues. 

Changing the narrative

This year, the Body Happy Org wants to change that narrative. Rather than talking about what we look like, let's catch up with loved ones about what they've been up to the past year. Don’t count the calories in a mince pie, just enjoy delicious food in great company. Instead of punishing ourselves for enjoying life, embrace the joy. And don't judge your body for what it looks like in an outfit you wear once a year, celebrate it for all the amazing things it can do.

This is how we start to change skewed and dangerous entrenched beliefs around body image. Let's make this Advent 24 days of body respect

Find out more, about how to start fundraising here

Download the 24 days of body respect poster here