How to Have a Positive Summer Body Image
Summer is a season of vibrant memories and cherished traditions — from sunny parades and festive picnics to dazzling fireworks and joyful family gatherings. Yet, while these moments are often joyous, they can also bring challenges, particularly when it comes to how we feel about our bodies. This summer body image doesn’t have to overshadow your experiences. Instead of focusing on how your body looks, shift the focus to what your body allows you to do — whether it’s splashing in the waves, enjoying your favorite summer foods, or simply feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin.
How to Have a Positive Summer Body Image
Our relationship with our bodies is deeply interconnected with our physical, emotional, and social experiences. Summer often brings heightened body awareness, making it an ideal time to reflect on how we care for ourselves and respond to external pressures. We empower clients to improve their relationship with food and body, bringing joy back to fundamentals like eating and movement. 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 the Self Model illustrates this, and we hope to talk more about this in a future post .
Reflect on these questions to cultivate a deeper connection with yourself this summer:
What does this season teach you about your body image and self-care?
Are there aspects of summer you find challenging, and how can you address them?
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?
How can you create pockets of joy and mindfulness in your daily routine?
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?
8 Practical Tips to Improve Body Image This Summer
Practice self-compassion
Acknowledge your feelings without judgment. Everyone experiences awkward or self-conscious moments. Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend.
Drop anchor
Ground yourself in the present moment. Take a deep breath, notice your surroundings, and remind yourself that you are safe.
Challenge Your Inner Critic
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?”
Find Joy in Laughter
It might feel hard, but smiling can actually 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!
Embrace Imperfection
Everyone experiences awkward moments and makes mistakes. Use this moment to practice being imperfect, to grow, and to connect with others. Yes, you can!
Seek Moments of Joy
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.Integrate Self-Care and Mindfulness
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.
Some ideas that might 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
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.
Visualize the Future
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 with 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.