National Love Your Body Day

A diverse group of people of different ages and body types, wearing colorful and comfortable clothing, having fun outdoors in a park or beach setting.. — National love your body day illustration

Welcome to National Love Your Body Day! Get ready to celebrate and appreciate all the wonderful things your body can do, while also learning about the internet history of this special day. So throw on your favorite outfit, strike a pose, and let's dive in!

When is Love Your Body Day?

It's national love your body day on the 18th October.

The History of National Love Your Body Day

National Love Your Body Day is a beautiful reminder that our bodies are something to be cherished and loved, no matter their shape or size. This empowering day first gained popularity back on October 18, 2017, and since then, it has been celebrated every year with enthusiasm and joy.

In a world that constantly bombards us with unrealistic beauty standards, National Love Your Body Day encourages us to embrace our uniqueness, focus on self-acceptance, and challenge the societal pressures that make us question our worth based on our appearance.

Originally celebrated as an offline event, National Love Your Body Day quickly gained traction in the online world too, with social media buzzing with body-positive posts and inspiring messages of self-love. People from all walks of life shared their stories, struggles, and moments of self-acceptance, creating a powerful virtual space for body positivity.

How to Celebrate National Love Your Body Day

There are countless ways to honor and love your body on this special day. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Practice positive self-talk and affirmations
Engage in activities that make you feel good, whether it's dancing, yoga, or a leisurely walk in nature
Treat yourself to a spa day or a relaxing bubble bath
Wear your favorite outfit and unleash your inner fashionista
Indulge in nourishing meals that make your body happy
Pamper yourself with a DIY skincare routine
Share body-positive messages online and spread the love

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate, remember that the essence of this day is embracing self-love, body acceptance, and appreciation for the amazing vessel that carries you through life.

History behind the term 'Love Your Body'

1967

The rise of the body positivity movement

In 1967, the body positivity movement began to gain momentum. The movement aimed to challenge society's narrow standards of beauty and promote self-acceptance. It aimed to encourage individuals to embrace their bodies, regardless of shape, size, or appearance. This marked the early stages of the 'love your body' concept, which would evolve over the years.

1960

Rise of Body Positivity

In the 1960s, the body positivity movement began to take shape, challenging conventional beauty standards and emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance. It aimed to empower individuals to love and embrace their natural bodies, regardless of size, shape, or physical attributes. This shift in mindset laid the foundation for the term 'love your body,' emphasizing a positive and healthy attitude towards oneself.

1967

The beginnings of body positivity

The term 'love your body' originated with the emergence of the body positivity movement in 1967. This movement aimed to challenge societal beauty standards and promote self-acceptance and appreciation for all body types. It sought to combat the unrealistic and often unattainable ideals perpetuated by the media.

1990

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

In 1990, National Eating Disorders Awareness Week was established as an initiative to raise public awareness about eating disorders and their impact on individuals. This event provided a platform to discuss body image issues and self-acceptance, further contributing to the 'love your body' movement. It encouraged individuals to focus on their overall well-being rather than adhering to societal beauty standards.

1978

Body acceptance gains momentum

In 1978, a book titled 'Love Your Body' by Dr. Louise L. Hay was published. This book played a significant role in popularizing the concept of loving one's body. It provided readers with practical advice and exercises to develop a positive relationship with their bodies and emphasized the importance of self-love.

1980

Mainstreaming of Body Positivity

During the 1980s, the concept of body positivity gained momentum and started to reach a wider audience. Books, magazines, and influential figures started discussing the importance of self-love and body acceptance. This marked a crucial step in making 'love your body' a mainstream message, encouraging people to appreciate their bodies and reject unrealistic beauty standards imposed by society.

1997

National 'Love Your Body' Day

In 1997, the National Organization for Women (NOW) established the 'Love Your Body' Day. This annual event, celebrated on October 14th, aims to raise awareness about body image issues and promote body positivity. It encourages individuals to embrace their unique physical features and reject the negative impacts of media pressure.

1997

The Rise of the Body Positive Movement

The body positive movement became an organized movement in 1997 with the creation of the Body Positive organization. This non-profit organization aimed to promote self-esteem, body acceptance, and improved body image for individuals of all shapes and sizes. They popularized the slogan 'love your body' as a key message to combat negative body image and promote self-care and self-love.

2004

Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty

The year 2004 witnessed the launch of 'Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty.' This marketing campaign sought to challenge beauty ideals portrayed in the media and celebrate the diversity of women's bodies. It included advertisements featuring women of various sizes, shapes, and ages, promoting the message of self-love and body acceptance. This campaign garnered widespread attention and became a significant milestone in the 'love your body' movement.

2014

Social Media Amplification

With the rise of social media, 'love your body' became widely shared and celebrated. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter empowered individuals to share their body-positive journeys and spread the message of self-acceptance. Hashtags such as #LoveYourBody and #BodyPositivity further amplified the movement, inspiring millions worldwide to embrace their bodies and challenge beauty standards.

2010

Social media's impact

With the rise of social media platforms, the term 'love your body' gained even more prominence. Influencers, activists, and body-positive communities utilized these platforms to spread empowering messages and challenge the notion of the 'perfect' body. The hashtag #loveyourbody became popular, promoting body acceptance and diverse beauty standards.

2009

International Love Your Body Day

International Love Your Body Day was established in 2009 by the National Organization for Women (NOW) Foundation. Observed on October 14th every year, this day serves as a reminder to challenge societal beauty standards and embrace one's own body. It promotes unity among individuals and encourages them to prioritize self-love and body positivity.

2021

Embracing body diversity

In recent years, the 'love your body' movement has gained significant momentum. People have become more conscious about the harmful effects of body shaming and the importance of inclusion. Brands have started featuring diverse body types and embracing body positivity in their marketing campaigns, contributing to a more inclusive cultural landscape.

2012

Social media's impact

The rise of social media platforms, particularly Instagram, has played a significant role in the popularization of 'love your body' concept. Influencers and body positive activists utilized these platforms to share their stories, body acceptance messages, and advocate for self-love. Social media gave individuals a space to connect, uplift each other, and challenge harmful beauty standards, fostering a supportive community around the 'love your body' movement.

Present

Continued Empowerment and Advocacy

Today, 'love your body' has become a powerful and inclusive term, inspiring people of all backgrounds to celebrate and accept their bodies just as they are. Body-positive influencers, activists, and organizations continue to advocate for self-love, body diversity, and challenging harmful beauty norms. The term 'love your body' remains a symbol of resilience, acceptance, and the ongoing fight against body shaming and negativity.

Present

Continued empowerment and advocacy

The 'love your body' movement continues to empower individuals and foster self-acceptance worldwide. Numerous organizations, individuals, and campaigns focus on promoting body positivity, inclusivity, and challenging societal beauty standards. This ongoing movement aims to empower people to embrace and celebrate their bodies, ultimately cultivating a more diverse and accepting society.

Did you know?

Did you know that the concept of body positivity has been around for over 50 years? It all started back in the 1960s with the emergence of the body acceptance movement, which aimed to challenge societal beauty standards and promote inclusivity and self-love for people of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. So let's keep spreading the love and celebrating our bodies, today and every day!