Summer & Body Image: Cognitive Flexibility

The heat is HERE, often with the start of summer comes some familiar body image struggles. We take out the summer clothes from the closet, try things on again that may not fit, we’re wearing clothes that show more of our body, there’s ‘biking body’ talk, pool party or barbecue plans, all of these can increase anxiety around body image.

I wanted to pop on here this week to be a source in your world for some strategies to help combat this, and also to remind you that you are absolutely more than your body.

With body image specifically, working towards developing something called cognitive flexibility is ultimately the goal. When we are in a moment of body image distress, we often believe that it is permanent and we feel very stuck there, hello panic - but when we zoom out and look at our entire relationship with our body, it’s much more nuanced than that.

When are some moments in your life that you feel more neutral in and towards your body? Explore what that feels like and what factors may be contributing.

Body image exists on a wide continuum, which ranges from moments of hatred or disgust to appreciation and celebration, and everything in between. Once we can understand that multiple factors play into our relationship with our body, we can start to develop some of that cognitive flexibility and recognize that we’re not always stuck in body hatred.

What environmental factors (people, places, activities) influence how you’re feeling about your body?

Next time you catch yourself in a moment of body image distress, recognize that it’s just that, a moment of distress. We can then work on accessing internal and external resources to navigate that distress (distraction, CBT techniques, mindfulness, self compassion…).

One other thing I want you to consider for the summer, is to regularly participate in activities or things that help you feel more embodied in your own body. More present with your body, feeling the sensations, while being mindful of what your body needs. In a way, this is similar to the intuitive eating work of re-learning hunger and fullness cues.

Can you find ways to show your body care and respect? Can you make sure to incorporate rest into your busy schedule?