The summer months are often associated with a sense of freedom, relaxation, and fun in the sun, but for those struggling with an eating disorder, this time of year can be constricting, stressful, and challenging. Whether you are in recovery or silently battling food and body image concerns, summer can bring a noticeable spike in emotional distress.
Why Eating Disorders Can Worsen in the Summer
Eating disorders are present year-round, however, several seasonal triggers make summer particularly difficult:
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More Body Exposure
It’s tricky to hide in a bulky sweater when the temps rise and the sun glares. Warmer weather usually means shorts, swimsuits, and sleeveless clothing to stay cool—often increasing body image anxiety, self-comparison, and discomfort.
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Diet Culture Peaks in Summer
Scrolling through socials and media feeds over the summer, there is a barrage of unsolicited advice for how to get a “beach body”, reinforcing unhealthy messages around weight, worth, and food.
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Disrupted Routines
With school breaks, vacations, or job changes, summer often brings less structure—something that individuals with eating disorders may rely on to maintain stability in their recovery.
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Increased Social Gatherings
Cookouts, pool parties, and family vacations often revolve around food and can trigger comments about appearance, eating habits, or weight.
These pressures can make an already difficult illness feel even more isolating or overwhelming. But there is support—and healing is possible! Here at reNEW YOU Counseling and Wellness, LLC, we have specialists who can address these issues head on.
Understanding the Different Types of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Here are some of the most common:
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- Anorexia Nervosa: Characterized by food restriction, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image.
- Bulimia Nervosa: Involves cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting, fasting, or over-exercising.
- Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Includes repeated episodes of eating large amounts of food quickly, often accompanied by shame or guilt, but without purging behaviors.
- ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder): A pattern of eating disturbances based on sensory issues, fear of choking, or lack of interest in food—not driven by body image concerns.
- OSFED (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder): Encompasses symptoms that don’t fit neatly into the above categories but still cause significant emotional and physical harm.
- Orthorexia Nervosa: An unhealthy obsession with eating only “pure” or “healthy” foods, which can lead to malnutrition and social isolation.
- Anorexia Nervosa: Characterized by food restriction, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image.
You’re Not Alone—We’re Here to Help
We understand the complexities of eating disorders and how much harder they can become in the summer. That’s why we’ve built our team with eating disorder-specific therapists who are trained and experienced in supporting individuals through every stage of the recovery process.
We offer:
- 🧠 Individual Therapy with ED specialists who provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each client’s needs.
- 💻 Virtual Parent Support Group – Held on the last Tuesday of each month, this virtual support group offers education, community, and guidance for parents seeking support as they care for their loved ones.
- 🤝 A Safe, Understanding Environment where individuals and families can speak openly without fear of judgment.
Ready to take the next step?
Whether you’re seeking help for yourself, your child, or someone you love, our team is here to guide you in your journey toward wholeness.Reach out today to connect with one of our ED specialists or sign up for our next virtual parent support group by contacting us at info@renewyoucounseling.org.