What is Body Image?
Body image refers to how we see, think, and feel about our bodies. It’s shaped by a lifetime of messages from our environment, family, culture, social media, and societal norms, all of which influence how we evaluate ourselves. Body image is not just about appearance; it deeply affects our self-esteem, mood, and overall mental health.
While body image concerns can surface year-round, summer often amplifies them. Increased visibility of bodies, social media posts about “summer bodies,” and the pressure to look a certain way in swimwear can all heighten self-consciousness and distress. The phrase “summer body” may sound harmless, but it reflects a cultural fixation that can trigger body shame, disordered eating, and low self-worth. Our summer body image can feel drastically different than our body image in other seasons.
3 Ways to Care for Your Summer Body Image
1. Honor Your Body for What It Does, Not Just How It Looks
Bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Trying to squeeze into unrealistic molds often leads to shame and frustration. Shifting your perspective from how your body looks to what it does is a powerful way to move from self-criticism to appreciation.
Your body is not an ornament, it’s an instrument. It allows you to move, connect, play, explore, and live. Shifting your mindset from “how do I look?” to “what can I do?” helps reduce appearance-based self-judgment.
Try this: If you’re heading to the beach or pool, focus less on how your swimsuit fits and more on how your legs carry you through the water or how your arms help you paddle a surfboard. Your body’s strength, balance, and endurance deserve celebration.
2. Focus on People—Not Pictures
Body insecurities often stem from fear of judgment or rejection. But when we think about the people we truly care about, we rarely focus on their appearance. What we value are their warmth, kindness, humor, or the way they make us feel.
So what if we turned that same lens inward? Instead of fixating on perceived flaws, focus on the relationships and experiences that give your life meaning.
Try this: Make a list of the experiences you want this summer—bike rides, road trips, outdoor concerts, late-night talks. Who do you want to share them with? Centering connection over appearance can increase confidence, joy, and belonging.
3. Curate a Body-Positive Social Media Feed
The content we consume online can dramatically affect how we see ourselves. Social media algorithms serve more of what we engage with, so if you’re frequently interacting with fitness or “ideal body” content, you may be unknowingly reinforcing negative self-talk.
Try this: Audit your feed. Unfollow accounts that make you feel inadequate and seek out creators who promote body diversity, self-compassion, and authenticity. You have more control over your digital environment than you might think.
If You’re Struggling, You’re Not Alone
If distress caused by your summer body image is interfering with your ability to enjoy the season, connect with others, or feel at peace with yourself, therapy can help. At Coping Resource Center, our therapists provide evidence-based support to help you challenge distorted thoughts, rebuild self-esteem, and develop a more compassionate relationship with your body.
Learn more about our specialties at Coping Resource Center or book an appointment with us today.
You deserve to enjoy your summer without shame. You deserve to feel at home in your body.
Mylene Duarte is a licensed professional counselor at Coping Resource Center who specializes in eating disorders and body image. Learn more about our treatment for eating disorders here.
