Keep the following tips in mind to help yourself have a healthy, enjoyable summer:

• Set Realistic Goals: Focus more on your health and well-being rather than your appearance. Set realistic and achievable goals for maintaining recovery. Celebrate small victories and progress.
• Develop A Support System: Surround yourself with supportive friends and family that understand your struggles, cheer on your recovery and have your best interests at heart. Lean on them whenever you feel overwhelmed or anxious. It can also be beneficial to find others who understand your specific struggles. Consider joining a local support group or connecting with a therapist.
• Practice Mindful Eating: Continue to develop a better relationship with food by engaging in mindful eating practices. One way to do this is to work toward being fully present during meals, setting aside screens or other distractions to focus on your meal. By doing so, you can listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues while also enjoying your food without judgement.
• Plan Ahead: Anticipate potential triggers ahead of time to make a plan on how best to handle them. If you’re attending a social event, consider bringing snacks that you enjoy, so you won’t be tempted to skip a meal. Be sure to have a trusted friend or family member with you for support. If you don’t feel like you’re able to attend without struggling, it’s okay to sit something out.
• Limit Social Media Exposure: Social media is full of triggering content with images that perpetuate unrealistic body standards, diets and workout routines. No one has the same needs or abilities, but social media has a way of making people feel like they aren’t enough. Limit your exposure to social media as much as possible, and follow accounts that promote body positivity/neutrality, mental well-being and self-love for when you do log on.
• Engage in Positive Activities: Spend your summer focusing on activities that make you feel good, avoiding things centered around appearance. Things like hiking, yoga, paddle boarding, painting, reading or volunteering can be fulfilling while helping to distract from negative thoughts.
• Seek Professional Help: Professional support is crucial for successfully managing an eating disorder. At Peak Psychological Services, we offer specialized therapy for eating disorders. Our therapists are experienced in providing compassionate and effective care that prioritizes your specific needs.