Bringing body appreciation and gratitude into the classroom
2/09/2024
Written by Helen Bird, Manager of Education Services, Butterfly Foundation
(published on Butterfly Foundation blog 28 Aug 2024)
Many young people are struggling with their body image – but educators can make a difference and encourage young people to be BodyKind (and Body Bright).
Butterfly’s Body Kind Youth Survey 2023 found that of nearly 3,000 young people surveyed, over half (57%) were dissatisfied with how their body looks. Nearly half also said that body dissatisfaction stopped them from attending school.
We also know that young people want better body image support in schools: 8 in 10 believe primary schools must do more, and 90% felt the same about high schools.
Schools and educators are in a fantastic place to make a difference, help prevent more serious eating and body image issues from developing and encourage young people to be BodyKind(and Body Bright).
By integrating practices of body appreciation and gratitude into your classroom, using positive language, and creating an environment that celebrates diversity, you can help your students develop a healthier, more positive relationship with their bodies.
In this blog, we’ll explore what body appreciation and body gratitude really mean, why they’re so important for developing a positive body image, and practical ways you can bring these ideas into your classroom.
What is Body Appreciation and Body Gratitude?
Body Appreciation: Body appreciation is about seeing your body for all it does, rather than just how it looks (i.e., recognising its inherent worth, qualities and functions and uniqueness) Research shows that when people appreciate their bodies and focus on its functions and abilities, they tend to have higher self-esteem and better mental health (Tylka & Wood-Barcalow, 2015). Body appreciation is about shifting the focus from “How do I look?” to “What can my body do?” It can make a big difference in how someone feels about themselves.
Body Gratitude: Body gratitude is closely related but goes even deeper. It’s about feeling thankful for your body, acknowledging its capabilities, and being grateful for the way it supports you every day. Whether it’s being thankful for the breath that fills your lungs or the way your heart beats without you even thinking about it, body gratitude helps cultivate a sense of contentment. Studies have found that practicing body gratitude can reduce body dissatisfaction and boost overall happiness (Alleva et al., 2015).
Why are these concepts important for positive body image?
When students learn to appreciate and feel grateful for their bodies, they’re less likely to get caught up in negative comparisons and more likely to develop resilience against the pressures they face. Research has shown that body appreciation and gratitude can lead to better mental health outcomes, lower rates of anxiety and depression, and even a reduced risk of developing eating disorders (Halliwell, 2013).
Practical Strategies for the Classroom
Build Body Appreciation and Gratitude into The Day/Week
Morning Reflections: A simple way to start building body gratitude is through morning or end-of-day reflections. Ask students to think about one thing they’re grateful for about their body. It doesn’t have to be something big—it could be as simple as being thankful for the ability to walk to school or for their hands that help them write. This practice helps students start noticing and valuing what their bodies can do, rather than focusing on how they look.
Create a Body Appreciation (or Gratitude) Wall: Provide a space where students can post notes about what they appreciate about their bodies. Each week, encourage students to add something new. The prompt question might be “”What is one thing you appreciate about the human body/your body this week?”. By changing the question, you can shift the focus of the wall to body gratitude, “What is one thing your body helped you accomplish this week”. For example, a student might write, “I am grateful for my lungs for allowing me to sing in the school choir,” or “I am grateful for my arms for letting me hug my friend to show how much I care when they felt sad.”
Body Appreciation Affirmations: Start or end your class with a body appreciation affirmation that students can repeat silently or out loud. These affirmations could be as simple as, “I appreciate my body just as it is,” or “I appreciate my body for being strong and resilient.” Repeating these affirmations regularly can help reinforce a positive mindset and encourage students to view their bodies with gratitude and respect.
Body Gratitude Journaling: Dedicate 5-10 minutes once a week for students to journal. Encourage them to reflect on the ways their bodies have supported them throughout the week. A prompt question might be, “What part of your body are you most grateful for today?” This activity not only helps students focus on the positives but also gives them a chance to express gratitude in a personal and reflective way. Looking for resources to support this? Register for Butterfly’s BodyKind Schools initiative and you’ll receive access to activities like our BodyKind JournalI, where we invite young people in upper-primary to lower-secondary to explore some of the key ideas of being BodyKind through words of encouragement, opportunities for self-reflection and activities to complete.
Mindful Movement and Meditation: Introducing students to mindfulness practices like guided meditations or body scans can help them develop a more positive relationship with their bodies. These practices encourage students to connect with their bodies in the present moment, noticing sensations without judgment. Even a short 5-minute meditation can help students feel more grounded and appreciative of their bodies
Encourage Positive Language
Be a Role Model: The words we use matter, especially when it comes to body image. Make a conscious effort to use positive language when talking about bodies—yours, your students’, and others’. Instead of commenting on appearance, focus on what the body does. For example, instead of saying, “You look strong,” try, “I admire how strong your legs are; they help you run and play.” Modelling this behaviour not only helps set a tone for how students talk about their own bodies but also influences how they interact with and support each other.
Language Awareness: Encourage students to reflect on their own language about themselves and their peers. By fostering self-awareness, students can become more mindful of the impact their words have and contribute to a more positive and supportive environment.
Create a Classroom Culture That Celebrates Diversity
Diverse Imagery: Surround your students with images and messages that celebrate all kinds of bodies. Whether it’s posters, books, or even the examples you use in lessons, make sure to represent a wide range of body types, abilities, and appearances. This helps normalize the idea that every body is unique and valuable, making it easier for students to appreciate their own bodies, no matter what they look like.
Make Physical Activity About Fun and Functionality
Focus on Participation, Not Competition: Design activities that are fun, inclusive, and focus on participation rather than performance. This could be anything from a relaxed yoga session to a group dance activity. When the emphasis is on enjoying movement rather than achieving a certain look or level of performance, students are more likely to feel good about their bodies.
Looking for resources to support Body Appreciation and Body Gratitude?
New to Body Kind Schools this year is a Guided Meditation and writing activity to encourage secondary age young people to reflect on and appreciate the functionality of their bodies. If you haven’t yet registered for Body Kind Schools 2024, you’re missing out on a wealth of free resources, including the Body Kind Journal (print and interactive formats). Sign up HERE to get started. The Butterfly Body Bright program for primary schools also focuses on body gratitude and has a similar activity.
You can also adapt general gratitude and mindfulness activities and positive affirmations to the body. Refer to Be You for free evidence informed tools and resources.
Supporting yourself while supporting your students
Many educators have their own difficult relationship with their body, eating and exercise and that’s okay. It’s important to be kind to yourself, when difficult feelings come up. Try to treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion that you would offer to a friend.
You might even consider keeping a body gratitude journal of your own or taking a few minutes each day to practice a body appreciation meditation. You can find free resources to support body appreciation that were originally designed for teachers, within the Body Kind Families Resources. Simply register HERE.
It’s never too late to heal your own relationship with your body and striving to do so is a really good thing not only for yourself but the people around you. Butterfly’s National Helpline is available, 7 days a week, 8am – midnight (AEST/AEDT), for confidential and free counselling for eating disorders and body image concerns.
Remember, small, everyday actions add up. By making body appreciation a regular part of your classroom, you’re helping to build a foundation of self-respect and kindness that will benefit your students for years to come. And in doing so, you’re contributing to a culture that values and appreciates all bodies for the amazing things they can do – not what they look like.
NOTE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS: The online Body Bright Staff Training contains an optional module to support staff body appreciation and self-compassion. Staff Training is available to an unlimited number of staff. Register your primary school today!