Festive season is just around the corner and the Body Happy Organization is calling on families, schools, sports groups, and community organizations to join their new campaign: 24 days of body respect. The organization aims to shift the focus of the holiday season from body shame to joy, gratitude, and celebration.
According to research by YouGov, more than two in five people experience stress during the festive period, with body image concerns being a significant contributing factor. Half of children and young people report feeling dissatisfied with their bodies, influenced by societal pressures, generational attitudes, and unrealistic standards portrayed online. With family gatherings, constant photo-taking, and food-centric conversations, the pressure to conform to certain body standards can intensify during Christmas.
To combat this, the Body Happy Organization has launched a new kind of Advent calendar. Throughout the month of December, the organization will share a daily “body respect challenge” to spark positive conversations, promote gentle movement, and encourage kindness towards oneself and others.
Founder of the Body Happy Organization, Molly Forbes, stated, “Christmas should be a time of joy and connection, not comparison and criticism. Our Advent challenge gives families, schools, and communities simple, uplifting ways to celebrate what their bodies can do – not what they look like. Small shifts in perspective can have a huge impact on wellbeing, especially for young people.”
Funds raised through the Advent campaign will support the Body Happy Schools Programme, which aims to create classroom cultures of body respect to empower children to grow up free from body shame.
Participants can take part in the challenge individually or as a group, for fun or as a sponsored event. Activities can range from team sports, morning walks, cycling, swimming, solving puzzles, or practicing mindfulness. Each activity promotes body respect and positivity.
Two enthusiastic supporters, Terri and Allie, have created the “Seas the Season” coastal Advent challenge, encouraging daily dips in the sea, rivers, lakes, or pools. Each day’s activity corresponds with the date, such as five minutes on the 5th, a group of six on the 6th, or drawing a 10 via GPS on the 10th. The organization also offers ideas for dry activities for those who prefer to stay indoors.
The Body Happy Organization stresses the importance of changing the narrative and celebrating connection instead of comparison during the festive season. By participating in the Advent challenge, communities can help reshape harmful attitudes and support children to grow up feeling confident and accepted.
To get involved, individuals can take part in the Body Respect Advent challenge, start a sponsored activity, or help build a future where every child grows up free from body shame.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.