Embracing Summer: A Guide to Enjoying the Beach Season
For many, summer is generally known to stir excitement and joy. However, for those struggling with body image, the arrival of summer brings with it a wave of anxiety and self-consciousness, particularly around the thought of wearing less clothing or a swimsuit. These individuals might feel compelled to avoid the beach or try to change their bodies in an attempt to boost their confidence.
If you struggle with body image this season, here are ways to reclaim the joy of summer without resorting to these methods.
Reconnect with Summer’s Essence
Reflect on what you used to enjoy about summer when the season was synonymous with fun rather than stress. Was it time off and longer days? The smell of the ocean or socializing with friends? Reconnecting with these memories can shift your perspective. Think about children – they are most often completely in the moment. They jump in waves and build sand castles without worrying about their appearance. If you find yourself stressing over your body, anchor yourself in the present by focusing on the sensory experiences. Feel the sand between your toes, the salty air, or the smell of sunscreen.
Practice Boundaries This Summer
A common stressor around beach time is worrying what others might “privately think about” our bodies. We can recognize, however, that we are not in control of, nor are we responsible for, another person’s perception. Any thoughts on their end are influenced by their wounds and insecurities, negative beliefs, and immersion in diet culture. In saying that, the “spotlight effect” tells us that any imagined thoughts of another are likely baseless. We are not being noticed as much as we think we are – everyone is primarily fixated on themselves.
If you are at the beach with a friend or family member and they comment on something that triggers you, using “internal” and “external” boundaries can help protect you. An internal boundary involves filtering the comment through a recovery perspective. For example, you might think, “This comment has triggered me, but I know it is untrue. Perhaps this person is not the right one to go to the beach with.” An external boundary is something you might voice out loud, such as, “I am trying to avoid that kind of talk. I am focusing on accepting my body this summer.” This may even be a gift for someone unaware of their self-talk and could benefit from a new empowered attitude.
Use Social Media Cautiously During The Summer (All All Year Round)
Especially important in the summer season is to unfollow social media accounts that hyper-fixate on “bikini body’s”, either staying offline if possible or diversifying your social media to include a range of body shapes and sizes.
Prioritize Comfort and Joy
Aesthetic ideals tell us there are more “attractive” swimsuits we should be wearing. Recovery, however, is wearing the swimsuit that makes you feel most comfortable, confident, and able to move freely. Your beach time is for you and no one else. Wearing what feels comfortable is the start of tuning into your needs versus what you think others want to see from you. Bring and engage with activities that bring you happiness, like a good book, earphones, a podcast, or a frisbee. Give yourself something else to do other than ruminate!
Recognize Your Inherent Worth
Our worth is not contingent upon the size or shape of our body. Instead, we are worthy simply because we exist. If we can truly understand that our value is inherent and unchanging, then we will not feel the need to make changes to our diet, portions, or movement regime when summer approaches.
Making drastic adjustments in these areas is unhealthy and unsustainable, potentially leading to a binge-restrict cycle. Engage or do not engage with exercise as usual. Keep your eating stable. Pack food for the beach. Your habits do need to change with the temperature.
Seek Support
If summer is particularly challenging for you, do not hesitate to ask for support. Whether confiding in a trusted friend or seeking professional help, you do not have to navigate these feelings alone. If your support system is out of town, helplines or online courses can be great resources to engage with. This summer, start small if necessary. You might prefer to stay poolside with a close friend and work your way up to a crowded beach if this is your goal.
In conclusion, by reorienting your perspective, setting boundaries, and prioritizing well-being, you can reclaim the joys of summer. It is possible to engage in beach days without feeling overwhelmed by fear, even after or during body image struggles. It is likely to be more aware of the sun on your skin than the size of your legs. It is possible to notice the refreshing coolness of the water more than you notice negative thoughts. You are worthy of every moment of happiness this season brings.
BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, located in New York City, offers free consultation calls to help you explore next steps. We provide in-person programming seven days a week and are in-network with UnitedHealthcare (UHC), Cigna, Emblem, and Oscar, with Aetna coverage coming soon. Support is available, and recovery is possible. Schedule a free consultation call with our admissions team here and stay connected with BALANCE on Instagram here.
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Contributor, Emma Kehoe (she/her).
Emma is a student of Gestalt Psychotherapy in Sydney, Australia. She is also certified in Systemic Family Constellations. She is passionate about working with trauma, addiction, and eating disorders; empowering others to reclaim their power and inner essence. Her insights are a unique combination of both lived experience and clinical training. Outside of work and study she is a book worm who loves cycle and strength training, meditation, drinking coffee, and thrift shopping.
