Body Image in the Summer: 5 Ways to Navigate Food, Social Events, and Recovery
The summertime means spending more time outside, whether that means beach days, barbecues, vacations, or milestone events like prom and graduation. While this season can feel exciting and refreshing, struggling with body image in the summer can also bring added challenges, especially for those who struggle with their relationship with food or their body. The good news is that with the right support and coping strategies, food and body concerns do not have to interfere with you or a loved one enjoying the season.
Why Can Summer Be Difficult?
Although every season can bring challenges for those struggling with eating disorders or body image distress, body image in the summer can feel especially difficult. Activities like going to the beach or pool may involve wearing a bathing suit, and warmer weather often means wearing shorts, t-shirts, or tank tops, which can feel especially vulnerable for someone experiencing body image concerns.
Spring and summer often bring changes in routine and structure. For students, summer break may mean less structure from school, while adults may take vacations or time off from work. With more downtime, some people may spend more time on their phones or social media, where body comparison and diet culture are common.
In addition, many spring and summer gatherings revolve around both food and appearance. Barbecues for occasions like the Fourth of July, graduation celebrations, vacations, and work events often include shared meals. There may also be more spontaneous plans with friends, like grabbing ice cream or going out to eat. Milestone events such as prom, weddings, and summer parties often involve dressing up or being photographed, which can bring added pressure around appearance.
Here are five strategies to help someone in eating disorder recovery navigate their body image in the summer.
Wear What Feels Good to You
There may be trends or popular styles this time of year, but there are no rules about what you can and cannot wear. You deserve to dress for any occasion in clothes that feel comfortable and help you feel your best. You do not have to keep clothes from last year that no longer fit or feel right. If choosing an outfit feels stressful, it may help to plan ahead so you know what you’ll wear the day of an event and avoid added pressure. And remember, clothes are meant to fit you. You are not meant to fit your clothes.
Be Mindful of Social Media Use
Social media can contribute to body comparison, especially when “summer body” messaging and appearance-focused content are everywhere. If you notice that scrolling leaves you feeling worse about yourself, it may help to take breaks from certain platforms or accounts. It may also be helpful to stay offline on particularly difficult body image days. It is important to remember that many social media posts are edited, and people often share only what they want others to see.
Surround Yourself With The Right People
The people you spend time with can impact how you feel about yourself. Spending time with people who frequently talk about calories, diets, the food at events, or how they look in clothes can worsen eating disorder thoughts and body image concerns. It is okay to spend time with people in smaller settings if large gatherings feel overwhelming. You deserve to be around people who make you feel comfortable, safe and supported. If you find yourself in a conversation that feels uncomfortable, it is okay to ask to change the subject or step away.
Make Sure You Eat
There is unfortunately a lot of diet talk and conversation about skipping meals this time of year, but your body still needs nourishment. Even if your schedule looks different. Even if you’re having a difficult body image day. Even if you feel anxious about wearing a swimsuit. Even if others around you are skipping meals. If you have an event later in the day, you still deserve to eat beforehand.
Lean on Your Support System
Even if you do everything you can to stay on top of eating disorder and body image thoughts, things can still feel overwhelming. It’s okay to reach out for support to help you navigate an event, a vacation, or the season as a whole. You might check in with a family member at a party, plan ahead with a friend, sit with someone you feel comfortable with during a meal, or ask someone to go shopping or to a buffet with you. You could also schedule additional sessions with your therapist. Support from people you trust can make these moments feel more manageable.
Prioritizing Recovery and Body Image In The Summer
Warmer months can bring added pressure around food, appearance, and social events, but your recovery is still your priority. Because recovery is not linear, it is normal to experience challenging moments along the way. With the right support and planning, it is possible to enjoy the summer without food and body concerns taking away from experiences.
Summer Eating Disorder Recovery Support at BALANCE
If struggling with body image in the summer brings added stress around food or social activities, you or a loved one deserves support. At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™ in NYC, our 14-Day Summer Program provide structured support seven days a week, helping clients navigate recovery during a season when routines, travel, and social events can feel more challenging.
BALANCE is in-network with UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, EmblemHealth, and Aetna, helping make eating disorder treatment in NYC more accessible. Schedule a free consultation call with our admissions team here and stay connected with BALANCE on Instagram here.
This post was written by BALANCE Social Media Coordinator, Amanda Nussbaum (she/her).
Amanda is the Social Media Coordinator at BALANCE. She graduated from Ramapo College, where she majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. She enjoys being creative, writing, and editing videos, and is passionate about mental health, wellness, and lifestyle. She enjoys contributing to the BALANCE blog!
