On Being Psychologically Strong with Food this Summer
- Laura Burkett
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
How are you faring this hot summer season? (assuming you are reading from the Midwest, where I'm writing from, though its been hot across the country).
A number of my clients have been lamenting about the intersection between hot weather, light summer clothes like tank tops and shorts, the increase in cookouts and rich foods and drinks, and feeling bloated and less-than-100% with body image.
Self-judgement, self-attack, and frustration can slowly take up residence in the mind.
We all can fall into patterns of self-judgment. But when we self-judge chronically it weakens our psychic immune system. When our psychic immune system is low, toxic collective beliefs can pour in that feed off our insecurities. Not good.
What does that look like?
Feeling vulnerable to social media ads that have ANYTHING to do with appearance. An sense of urgency to "fix" or "solve" something related to the body. An uptick in using AI to come up with meal plans, workout plans, nutritional therapies, or anti-aging plans. Sweeping generalizations of what must be done to relieve the discomfort of being in the body. Saying, "to hell with it," and eating in ways that really don't feel good.
On Being Psychologically Strong with Food this Summer:
A Voice of Reason
Listen, I get it. Summer brings in more unstructured time with kids or family, less routine, more social events with food, etc...
Here are some things I'd like you to remember:
1.) You absolutely have access to skills (or learning skills) to eat well throughout the summer.
For example, get a plate, and have the semblance of a meal at a social gathering, rather than graze throughout the day.
2.) If you're feeling a little bloated, remember that our digestive strength is actually LOWER in the summer, due to high temps and lower stomach acid. It's normal. Fresh, raw produce and plenty of water helps. Give yourself some Grace.
3.) Your job is still to take sweet care of yourself. Walking in the morning or evening when its cooler, making fresh smoothies with local produce, practicing yoga...all good.
More specifically, at a glance:
Drink plenty of water
Eat fresh, raw, fruits and vegetables, often throughout the summer (if you're worried about cyclosporiasis, shop at the farmers market and buy frozen raspberries for the time being).
Move your body in the morning or evening, when its cooler
If you can stick to these non-glamorous basics throughout the Summer, you won't feel all the pressure to "get it together" in an aggressive way with your diet, come Fall, which is not only psychologically friendlier, but builds psychological strength. This is one path to becoming psychologically strong with food this summer.
Think of the frustration that would come from neglecting the body in the summer (i.e. feeling defeated and stuffing the food with certain food and amounts of food that don't feel good) and then punishing oneself for that neglect come Fall with a restrictive diet. Do it differently.
Remember, all kind acts count. No act is too small.