Navigating Eating Disorder Triggers During the Summer
As the days grow longer and the temperature rises, summer brings a season of outdoor activities, social gatherings, beach days, and vacations. For many, it's a time of relaxation and joy, but for individuals navigating eating disorder recovery, these months can present a unique set of challenges.
The increased focus on body image, abundance of food-centric events, and shifts in daily routines can intensify eating disorder triggers, making it crucial to approach the season with mindfulness and preparation. Understanding these potential triggers and developing strategies to manage them can help those in recovery maintain their progress, while still enjoying the summer months and warm-weather celebrations
Here are a few tips on how you can navigate the complexities of summer while staying committed to your recovery journey:
Lean on Your Support System
Spend time with people who support your recovery and avoid those who don’t. Whether this is a friend, family member, therapist, support group, or online community, having people who can offer support - especially during challenging times - is invaluable.
Be sure to let them know about your recovery challenges and the triggers you may encounter during the summer. If you have an event or party that you feel nervous about attending, bring a friend with you or work with your therapist to create a cope ahead plan.
Maintain a Routine
Having a routine in place can provide a sense of control and stability.
Obviously not everyday is going to look the same, and sometimes it is inevitable that you will be thrown off your schedule; however it is so important to continue to maintain structure with your meal times no matter what your plans are that day.
Consider planning ahead of time and packing snacks to ensure that your body continues to get the nourishment that it needs. Having a solid routine (even if you only follow it loosely!) can reduce unexpected stressors and make you feel more confident going into each new day.
Set Boundaries
It is okay to opt out of activities that don’t bring you joy or serve your recovery! Summer is full of social gatherings and events that we may not always want to attend due to fear of potential triggers. It is important to prioritize your needs and set boundaries around situations that might compromise your recovery.
Remember -- you do not need to have a cookie-cutter summer! Social media often fuels unrealistic expectations of what summer should look like, but remind yourself that you never truly know what someone’s life looks like outside of the highlight reel that they post.
Focus on what truly matters to you and let go of unnecessary pressures or expectations.
Practice Self-Compassion
Treat yourself with kindness, understanding, and forgiveness as you navigate this challenging season.
Celebrate your recovery wins (even if they might seem small!) and continue to remind yourself of the importance of staying aligned with your recovery.
Whether it's choosing a nourishing meal, saying “no” to an event you don’t feel comfortable attending, or unfollowing social media accounts that don’t serve you recovery, each step forward is significant.
Be gentle with yourself on the difficult days and allow yourself the space to engage in activities that bring you joy!