(If you haven’t already, check out part 1)
Social media comparison is a common trigger for body dissatisfaction and comparison to others. Curating your social media feed is not about avoidance, but rather protecting your mental health from only viewing one type of appearance on a day-to-day basis or surrounding yourself with unhelpful diet talk.
When curating your social media, you can consider the types of accounts which might be helpful for improving body satisfaction, embracing curiosity around food freedom, or helping open your mind around body diversity. Intuitive eating instagram accounts in particular may be helpful resources for body positive creators to follow.
Therapist-backed guides for curating your feed to be more body neutral:
- Unfollow any accounts which are pro-restrictive or encourage being in “calorie-deficits”
- Follow some diverse and body-positive accounts which celebrate bodies that are different from cultural standards
- Unfollow any accounts which push weight-loss products, especially when they label products as “magic” “cure” or “everyone is trying this”
- Follow intuitive eating professionals such as dieticians, therapists, doctors, or others who have been trained and certified to promote intuitive eating principles. You can follow me here: @christina_mft
- Discover new accounts with more body neutral or body positive hashtags, like #BodyNeutral #BodyCompassion #Intuitive Eating or #AllBodiesAreGoodBodies
Combating Comparison Compulsions with Mindfulness and Self-Compassion
Comparison is a natural process and normal brain function. Healthy comparison might help us understand ourselves from different perspectives, become curious about what we like in others, or find out new strategies for achieving similar goals to the person we are comparing with. However, when comparison becomes compulsive or difficult to manage, it is harmful to our health and well-being.
Mindfulness for comparison is a great strategy to re-focus our energy on neutral curiosity. You may not be able to stop body image comparison completely, however, you can become more intentional about noticing when it happens and how to re-direct your thoughts.
Therapist tips for comparison:
- Notice the comparison thought you’re having without judgment: “I notice I’m having the thought that…”
- Name what’s happening objectively: “I’m having a comparison thought and it’s making me feel….”
- Re-focus on a self-compassion phrase such as, “I am learning new ways to think about my health” or “I am learning I can appreciate both my body and other bodies without judgment”
- Pause and ask yourself, “What do I need to move on from this comparison?” Be open and willing to listen to what you need.
Conclusion: Reflections on Body Compassion for Self and Others
As No Diet Day comes to a close, remember that the real work happens in the small, daily choices to turn away from diet culture and toward self-acceptance. Whether you celebrated today by curating your social media, practicing an intuitive eating principle, or simply pausing to re-focus your intentions around comparison, each step counts.
Comparison and body image struggles won’t disappear overnight, but with mindful practice, you can create more space for peace, freedom, and trust in your relationship with food and your body. Social media can be a powerful tool for connection — but only when it supports your well-being rather than undermines it.
Keep choosing practices that help you feel grounded, supported, and free. If you’d like more personalized support with intuitive eating or body image healing, I’m here to help. Feel free to reach out to explore how therapy can support your journey toward food freedom and self-acceptance.
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