Summer is a time to disconnect, have fun and forget about worries for most of the population. However, plans such as spending long afternoons on the beach or in the pool or going out for a meal with friends can be a major challenge for people with eating disorder (ED). This, together with the advertising campaigns for slimming products, aesthetic treatments or those that allude to the ‘bikini operation’ could alter the perception that these patients have of their own body.
Stimuli promoting worship and sacrifice for a body of ten are not only found in the media. It is enough to take a look at the shop windows that announce a new collection of clothes or consult the social networks of our closest social circle. Sand, sun, water, great guy. If you suffer from an eating disorder and are sensitive to this type of information, the Vínculo psychotherapy clinic offers a series of tips on its blog to help you control your reactions and maintain your emotional and mental balance.
The first step in fighting intrusive thoughts is to be aware of them. People with an eating disorder tend to compare, especially at this time of year, their body with that of other people. This can cause irrational responses such as fear of putting on a bathing suit or even canceling plans with your friends.
You must realize that all these insecurities never end up moving to the real plane. The fact that you have a distorted perception of your own body is partly due to the fact that no one judges you as harshly as you yourself. Do not hesitate to face all these insecurities: do not stay at home, wear the clothes you feel most comfortable in, and enjoy the holidays without paying attention to the negative comments!
The fact of refusing food or feeling uncomfortable with one’s own body can be due to multiple factors, from the most harmless to things that have nothing to do with food. It is likely that this discomfort is related to bad news or disappointment in the work or academic field. The correct option is not to get carried away by these emotions, but to identify the true reason for our concern to focus on finding a solution.
The summer holidays are also a time when alcohol consumption increases. Whether at a meeting with friends or at an outdoor party, rule out using it as a vehicle to flirt, loosen your inhibitions, or simply express your feelings. If you are obsessed with the appearance of your body, it is best to face this problem with serenity and sobriety and, if you are not able to do it on your own, ask for help in a specialist’s office, who will provide you with the necessary tools to overcome this trance.