Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Appreciate Your Body Bulletin Board

LGBT Resource Center. 323 Illini Union
By: Justin Henderson, M.S. & Jackie Beard, M.S. Counseling Center & Sexual Orientation Diversity Allies (SODA)
Description: The bulletin board’s purpose is to bring awareness of body image concerns among lesbian, gay, and bisexual students. The pursuit of positive body image requires that each one of us take the time to appreciate our bodies. This passive program hopes to raise students’ perceptions of body image concerns while also encouraging students to appreciate and accept their bodies. The bulletin board is plastered with negative, critical self-statements about how we often feel and think about our bodies. The goal is to cover these messages with more affirming and loving statements.
Instructions: Think about something that you appreciate, accept, and/or love about your body. Please write a word, phrase, or sentence on the hearts provided. For instance, you could write, “I have a nice smile.” Make sure to write it large enough to read. Then tack the heart over the negative self-talk messages on the board.