The summer months are some of the most difficult times for the women I work with. When you have disordered eating and body image issues, the summer can be extra hard emotionally. Summer is the time when you might spend more time in a swimming suit or compare yourself to other bodies you see in a swimming suit. Summertime means shedding the extra clothing layers that make you feel comfortable or can help you hide your body. Dieting can be more prominent in the summer months, and it’s a challenge to maintain your eating disorder recovery in this setting. The variety of foods at barbecues and social gatherings can bring on more anxiety for people struggling with their relationships with food. It doesn’t matter what type of eating disorder you have, the summer is still difficult. After a long winter, people also tend to be more social and when you struggle with anxiety in these situations it can feel overwhelming.
Reasons to Go to eating disorder therapy in the Summer
Starting your eating disorder recovery journey is important at any time but there are some particular benefits of beginning in the summer. Here are just a few reasons why you should begin eating disorder therapy this summer.
1. Seasonal Triggers
The seasonal triggers that arise in the summer can feel overwhelming. The weather is warmer and people start wearing shorts, tank tops, and swimming suits. This gives opportunities for you to see more people showing their bodies on social media causing more comparison and negative body image. Spending time with other people in social settings that involve eating around other people can bring on more anxiety. The media also begins to portray more unrealistic standards of beauty this time of year, and it can be tough to try and navigate all of it. Attending eating disorder therapy in the summer can help you work through these triggers and to be able to feel less anxiety and stress in these situations.
2. Need for more support
When there are more stressors and more triggers during the summer when you have an eating disorder, having extra support can be helpful. It can be hard to start or maintain recovery when you are feeling more anxious about your body and your eating without the right level of support. Attending weekly eating disorder therapy can help you learn to cope with your emotions and triggers. You don’t have to try and figure this out on your own. An eating disorder therapist has been trained and knows how to help you manage your eating disorder recovery.
3. Time for Personal Growth
As an eating disorder therapist, the most common time people come into therapy is during the fall time. It seems to be that the triggers and lifestyle of the summer impacts their mental health and they’re in a rough place mentally and emotionally. One thing I recommend is to go through therapy earlier and before things really start to take a toll. I know summer can be busy with vacations and activities but I would urge you to prioritize your mental health. Summertime can be a time of personal growth where you are able to gain more self-awareness in therapy as well as more self-compassion.
Eating disorder therapy in Utah can help maintain recovery this summer
Eating disorder therapy can help you start or maintain your eating disorder recovery this summer. Summer may be a hard time for you with your eating disorder or negative body image but working with an eating disorder therapist can help you work through it. You can have the support you need from a professional that knows how to help. Those social events, the afternoon at the pool, or your family reunion don’t have to be something you try to get through all on your own. Eating disorder therapy can give you the long-term support you are looking for.
Work with an eating disorder therapist near Provo, Utah
You don’t have to feel trapped in your cycle of eating and hating your body. You can find peace with food and not feel so much discomfort about existing in your body. Eating disorder therapy can help. This Utah Counseling Practice has an eating disorder therapist specializing in treating eating disorders. To begin counseling follow the steps below:
Meet with an eating disorder therapist
Begin recovery from an eating disorder
Online Eating Disorder Therapy in Utah
I know during the summer months it’s difficult to be able to balance a busy schedule and find a way to prioritize therapy. I offer online therapy in Utah to offer you convenience when it’s hard to travel or commute to a therapy appointment. Online eating disorder therapy is just as effective as an in-person therapy session but without the hassle of travel.
Online counseling also means I work with clients all over the state of Utah. I work with clients in Logan, Cedar City, Heber City, Provo, Salt Lake City, St. George, and more.
Other mental health services provided by Maple Canyon Therapy
Eating disorder therapy isn’t the only counseling service offered at this Utah Counseling Center. Other mental health services provided by Maple Canyon Therapy include EMDR therapy, binge eating disorder treatment, anxiety therapy, body image therapy, birth trauma therapy, and counseling for college students.
About the Author
Ashlee Hunt is a licensed clinical social worker and owner of Maple Canyon Therapy near Provo, Utah. Ashlee has a bachelor's degree in psychology and family life and human development from Southern Utah University. She earned her master's degree in social work from Utah State University. Ashlee has been treating eating disorders since 2013 and loves to help women learn to make peace with food and their bodies. She believes that eating disorder recovery is possible and loves to help women who are motivated to do so.