Athletics & Wellness
Grade 10
45 min
Seeking Support & Being an Ally: Creating a Body-Positive Community
This lesson explores how to find help for body image concerns and how to be a supportive friend. Building a positive community helps everyone feel more confident and accepted.
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What & Why
Feeling pressure about your body is common, but you don't have to go through it alone. This lesson is about two key actions: seeking support for yourself and being an ally for others.Seeking support means reaching out to a trusted person—like a parent, counselor, or doctor—when you're struggling. It's a sign of strength, not weakness.Being an ally means creating a safe environment for others. You can do this by challenging negative talk, focusing on people's character instead of their appearance, and promoting acceptance for all body types. Together, these actions build a body-positive community where everyone can thrive.
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Example 1 — Seeking Help for Yourself
It can be scary to ask for help, but it's one of the most powerful things you can do. Here’s how you might approach it:Acknowledge Your Feelings: Recognize that what you're feeling is real and valid. It's okay to be struggling.Identify a Trusted Adult: Think of someone you feel safe with. This could be a school counselor, a favorite teacher, a coach, a doctor, or a family member.Plan What to Say: You don't need a perfect script. It can be as simple as, "I've been having a hard time with my body image lately, and I think I need to talk to someone about it. Can you help me?"Take the Step: Send the text, make the call, or find them in person. Remember, the goal isn't to solve everything in one conversation, but to start the process of getting support.
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Example 2 — Being an Ally to a Friend's Negative Self-Talk
Imagine your friend looks at a photo of themselves and says, "Ugh, I look so awful." An ally can respond in a supportive way without making things worse.Validate, Don't Dismiss: Instead of saying "No, you don't!", which can shut them down, try validating their feeling. Say something like, "I'm sorry you're feeling that way about the photo."Gently Reframe: Shift the focus away from appearance. You could say, "I remember how much fun we were having when that was taken. You have such a great laugh."Focus on Character: Remind them of a quality you admire. "What I love about you is how kind you are, not what you look like in a picture."Avoid Comparing: Don't say, "You think you look bad? Look at me!" This just turns the conversation into a comparison game where nobody wins.
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Beginner
What is a primary goal of being a body-positive ally?
A.To make sure your friends only eat healthy foods.
B.To encourage acceptance of all body types and focus on non-physical traits.
C.To tell people they are wrong when they feel bad about their body.
D.To post positive quotes on social media every day.
Beginner
Your friend confides in you that they are struggling with negative thoughts about their body. What is the most helpful first response?
A.Tell them, 'You shouldn't feel that way, you look fine!'
B.Immediately give them advice on diet and exercise.
C.Listen, thank them for trusting you, and ask how you can support them.
D.Change the subject to something more cheerful.
Beginner
Which of the following is considered a 'trusted adult' you could talk to about body image concerns at school?
A.A popular senior you admire.
B.A random student in the hallway.
C.The school counselor or a favorite teacher.
D.A friend's older sibling.
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