Summer, Self-Esteem, and Eating Disorders: Breaking Free from Body Image Pressures

As the weather begins to warm up, the pressures alongside the season change are slowly coming into full effect. Summer is often a time of different clothing wear, more social gatherings, and a noticeable increase in social media posts around the “ideal summer body.” This time of year can be especially challenging for individuals who struggle with their body image and who have an eating disorder. 

The first thing I want to address in this post is the perpetuating idea around the “ideal body." While it is often hard to run and hide from the amount of social media posts surrounding this topic, it is important to understand that every body is an ideal body, no matter what the media tells you. We can often get caught up in this wave of listening to influencers, as well as their “What I eat in a day” and “How to get your dream summer body” videos. This type of media can be damaging to any individuals’ self-esteem but can be especially harmful to those who struggle with their body image. 

As much as we try not to, sometimes our self-esteem and how we feel about our bodies is deeply connected to what we see online or hear daily. The truth is, it is completely normal to be affected by these different influences- I mean, how can we not? Every day of our lives, we are bombarded with messages about how we should look, what we should eat, and what we should wear. After a while, these messages can affect our self-esteem and change how we feel in our bodies. 

However, it is important to realize that these messages do not define who you are or your self-worth. Challenging these harmful messages and using different tools to support yourself during the summer is essential to ensuring that you are prioritizing your own well-being. 

So, how might you go about supporting yourself this summer? There are many ways you can protect yourself against the challenges that come along with summertime. 

1. Wear what is comfortable for you. You deserve to dress in whatever you feel comfortable in, no matter what that might be. If you want to wear a tank top, shorts, or a swimsuit, wear them because you want to. However, if you aren’t at the stage where you feel comfortable wearing these certain types of clothes, then wear what makes you happy. Don’t feel like you have to dress a certain way just because others do. Do what works best for you!

   
   

2. Practice self-compassion & address negative self-talk. Summer is a difficult time, and you are not alone in this feeling. It is essential to take the time to address the negative voices in your head that might be breaking down your self-esteem and be compassionate with yourself. Don’t be harsh towards yourself; rather, treat yourself and your body with the care and kindness you deserve. 

   
   

3. Practice body neutrality. Body neutrality refers to appreciating your body for what it does for you, rather than constantly focusing on what it looks like. This is an important concept, especially during the summer when many opportunities exist to focus on appearance. If you want to learn more about body neutrality and practices, check out this blog post from the National Eating Disorder Association: 5 Steps to Body Neutrality 

   
   

4. Adjust your social media feed. Social media can be overwhelming, especially when content might harm your self-esteem and recovery. It is okay to unfollow or block creators whose content messages make you feel bad. Many creators out there are a positive voice in the eating disorder community and aim to uplift and empower individuals!

   
   

5. Reach out when you need to. You do not have to deal with what you are feeling and experiencing alone. Relying on someone else can help to take some of the heaviness off of your shoulders. You are not in this alone and having someone you can trust to comfort and support you can make all the difference. 

Summer can be a difficult time of year, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve to enjoy it. As mentioned earlier, every body is an ideal body, no matter your size, shape, or weight. Take the time this summer to focus on yourself and do things that help support your well-being and self-esteem. Break free from the pressures of the world around you and do what feels right for you.