Tips For Navigating Body Image Distress During Spring Break
Sunscreen, warmth from the sun, time spent by the pool, and uncontrollable laughs are ingredients in one of the most sought-after times of the year: spring break. After a long winter of coats, snow, and chilly days, spring break reminds us summer is just around the corner. While spring break can be an extremely relaxing and fun time, it can also bring about intense body image distress.
Whether spending spring break at the beach or choosing a staycation, utilize the tips below to help decrease body image distress and stay fully present and recovery-focused this season:
Tip 1: Dress Mindfully
When preparing for spring break, be mindful and intentional about what clothes and other items you pack or choose to wear. Dress in clothes that make you feel comfortable, and ditch the clothes that increase body image distress. When you wear clothes that feel good, anxiety and body image distress will naturally decrease. Also, accessorize with items other than clothing that bring you joy, such as a fun hat, new sunglasses, or your favorite bracelets.
Tip 2: Give Non-Appearance-Based Compliments
When we are around our friends or family, conversations and comments can often revolve around one another’s bodies. Help set the tone for your spring break (and beyond) by modeling and giving compliments that don’t relate to anyone’s body or clothing. Focus your compliments on what you like and appreciate about the people you are with instead of their appearance.
Tip 3: Use Mirrors and Cameras Intentionally
Mirrors are usually unavoidable, yet they can harm our body image. Instead of focusing on how you look in the mirror, take a few moments to tune in to how you feel before you go out. Be intentional about how much time you spend in front of mirrors this spring break, and proactively brainstorm some mantras to use when using mirrors. Similarly, be mindful when taking photos or videos over spring break. Mantras can be helpful when looking through pictures and videos.
Tip 4: Ditch the Comparison
Comparison can be one of the most detrimental things to our body image. It is easy to spend your time comparing your body to your friends, the people around you, and those on social media. The reality is everyone’s body is different, with different genetic makeup and different characteristics. Remember, your worth and value as a human have nothing to do with your appearance. Do your best to ditch the comparison and recognize the value you and the people you encounter have beyond physical appearance.
Tip 5: Continue to Nourish Yourself
Spring break, or any change in routine, can lead to changes in your daily nutrition and eating patterns, which is entirely okay! Continue to ensure you are adequately nourished by eating consistently throughout the day. Work with your support team to plan for these changes and stay recovery-focused. When you feed your body enough, your brain can better support you, which helps with thoughts relating to body image.
Remember, a spring break body is any body on spring break. Shifting focus away from your body image and self-comparison will allow you to be more present. Fill your spring break with unforgettable memories to enjoy fully without the stress of worrying about your body and appearance. When you look back on this spring break, aim to remember the experiences and connections you made, not what you avoided or weren’t fully present for because of your body image distress.
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 Social Work Intern, Cait Berosh (she/her).
Cait is currently finishing her Master of Social Work at Columbia University and holds a B.S. in Nutrition from the University of Tennessee. Cait is passionate about helping individuals find their confidence and self-esteem to create a healthy relationship with their body, themselves, and others. Specifically, she aims to fight against diet culture and create spaces that are rooted in authenticity and community. Cait’s main goal in her work is to help others feel supported, seen, and validated in their experiences. After graduating this May, she plans to work with adolescent and young adult women, specifically concerning eating disorders, body image, life transitions, and self-esteem. Cait is excited to learn from the incredible team at BALANCE and support clients on their recovery journeys this year.
