Embracing the Summer Season: Reflections on Self, Body, & Nourishment
Summer is a season filled with vibrant memories and present-day traditions, from parades and picnics to fireworks and family gatherings. These moments, while joyous, can also evoke a complex mix of sensations —some pleasant, others challenging. As we navigate these, let’s reflect on how they shape our sense of self, relationship with our bodies, and how we nourish ourselves.
Our relationship with our bodies is deeply interconnected with our inner and outer lives. Maintaining awareness of our physical, emotional, and cognitive needs, and how these interact with our family, community, and culture can nurture a healthy relationship with our bodies and create balance. The Attuned Representation of Self Model illustrates this, and we hope to talk more about this in a future post (so stay tuned!).
Take a moment to consider your own (internal and external) experiences.
What do they teach you about your current sense of self, your relationship with your body, and how you nourish yourself?
What aspects of this season feel most challenging to you?
If you get triggered, are you able to tune in and employ some adaptive skills?
Can you use the longer days to take time for acts of self-care and mindfulness?
And what about joy? Can you find pockets of joy in the quiet moments of the season?
Finally, looking ahead, what will you remember in 5, 10, or 20 years from now?
Tuning in
Amidst the “noise” from all of the celebrations, can you turn your attention inward and notice thoughts that may be interfering with your sense of enjoyment or distracting you from being present? Or emotions that rob you of pleasure or make you feel “less than”? Do any of these thoughts or feelings make you feel dysregulated or lead to unwanted behaviors?
Imagine this scenario:
You are sitting in a lawn chair at a backyard barbecue, surrounded by a mix of familiar faces and new acquaintances. Despite feeling self-conscious, you are committed to being present and finding joy and satisfaction in the moment. You've made yourself a plate with chips, a burger, and a fruit salad. As you take a bite of your burger, ketchup spills onto your white shirt. Embarrassment washes over you, and you think, "Oh my God, what was I thinking trying to look nice and eat a burger?" This spirals into more intrusive thoughts and feelings of shame about your body, food choices, clothes, weight, and more. Now what?
Can you…
Practice self-compassion: Acknowledge your feelings without judgment, remember that everyone has embarrassing moments, and be kind to yourself as you would a friend.
Drop anchor: Ground yourself in the present, take a deep breath, find yourself in space, and remind yourself you are safe.
Challenge your critical voice: Remember that your thoughts do not define you.
Ask yourself, “Would I speak to a friend this way? What would I do to help a friend in this situation?”Laugh: It might feel hard, but smiling actually can affect your neurochemistry and enhance your mood. Plus, it’s contagious. Maybe someone next to you is feeling self-conscious too or wants to help you? Laughter is a common human bond. Try it!
Let go of perfection: Everyone experiences awkward moments and makes mistakes. Use this moment to practice being imperfect, to grow, and to connect with others. Yes, you can!
It will likely be easier to employ such strategies if you have built a solid foundation of resilience by peppering self-care and mindfulness activities throughout your days.
Consider how you can integrate self-care into and mindfulness into your day-to-day throughout the summer.
Would it feel good to your body:
To take breaks in and out of the sun, to not get overheated?
Refresh in a cool shower and change into comfortable clothes?
Hydrate with plenty of water and nurture by eating a nourishing meal or snack?
Try a somatic experience like sucking on ice cubes or tapping your fingers on your heart?
Would it be nice to:
Carve time out in your day to be with loved ones who make you feel seen? Maybe play a board game, watch a movie, or get coffee with them?
Play or walk with a beloved pet or spend time in nature?
Have check-ins with your thoughts, and notice the tone & phrasing of them? Meet them with kindness, compassion, and curiosity?
Finding Joy in the Moment
What brings you joy this season? Identify and embrace these moments.
The warmth of the sun, the laughter of friends or family, or the simple pleasure of a quiet morning? Allow yourself to fully experience and appreciate these joys.
Looking Ahead
What will you remember in 5, 10, or 20 years from now? How do these joyful moments align with your personal values? You might find it helpful to revisit a values assessment to reinforce what matters most to you. Imagine your 70-year-old self reflecting on this summer. What memories will stand out? By aligning your present actions with your future self’s values and memories, you can create a meaningful and enjoyable summer experience.
At CV Wellbeing, we aim to help our clients improve their relationship to food and body and bring the joy back into fundamentals like eating and movement. Embrace the complexities of the season and let them enrich your journey towards a more balanced and fulfilling life.