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!
