Published on April 9 by Zencare Team. Written by Shoshana Ort, LCSW.
The Lie We’ve Been Sold
Every year as the weather warms up, so does the pressure. Ads, influencers, fitness gurus, and even well-meaning friends start buzzing about getting your "summer body" ready. But pause for a second: what exactly is a "summer body"? Who gets to decide what it looks like? And what is the mental cost of chasing it?
The truth is, the summer body myth is just that — a myth, born from unrealistic beauty standards and driven by profit. Beneath the surface of beach-body goals lies a deeper issue: body dysmorphia, a mental health condition that warps how someone perceives their own appearance.
In this blog, we’re going to challenge the summer body myth, explore the mental health consequences of chasing it, and offer real strategies to support yourself or someone you care about who may be struggling.
The Summer Body Myth: Where It Comes From and Why It’s Harmful
The idea of a "summer body" didn’t come from nowhere. It's deeply rooted in decades of marketing, media, and fitness culture. Magazines, TV shows, and now social media push the message that summer is for showing skin — but only if that skin covers a toned, slim, tanned body. The implication? If you don't look a certain way, you haven't earned your right to enjoy the sun.
This obsession with seasonal aesthetics like the summer body myth reinforces unrealistic beauty standards that are narrow, exclusionary, and damaging. It puts appearance above health, worth, and happiness.
And the effects are more than skin-deep. People internalize this pressure, leading to:
- Constant self-comparison
- Disordered eating and excessive exercise
- Avoidance of social activities
- Depression and anxiety during summer months
We are left to feel a tremendous amount of shame about our bodies, instead of appreciating everything our bodies can do for us. Our legs may carry us. Our hearts may beat steadily. Our lungs may fill with air. But all of that gets overlooked in the rush to conform to a fleeting aesthetic ideal.
This is where body image and mental health collide.
What Is Body Dysmorphia, Really?
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a serious mental health condition where someone becomes obsessively focused on perceived flaws in their appearance — flaws that are often invisible to others.
BDD is not the same as disliking your body. Most people have insecurities. But body dysmorphia distorts perception to the point that it interferes with daily life.
Some common questions I get from clients are:
- Is body dysmorphia real? Yes, body dysmorphia is real. It’s recognized by mental health professionals and included in the DSM-5.
- Is body dysmorphia an eating disorder? Body dysmorphia is separate from an eating disorder but related. While some people with BDD may develop disordered eating, BDD can exist without it.
- Is body dysmorphia OCD? BDD is classified under the obsessive-compulsive spectrum. The obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors (like mirror checking or seeking reassurance) overlap with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Signs You Might Be Struggling With Body Dysmorphia
Not sure if what you’re experiencing is body dysmorphia? Here are some signs to watch for:
- Frequently checking mirrors or avoiding them entirely
- Constantly comparing yourself to others
- Excessive grooming, skin picking, or trying to "fix" perceived flaws
- Seeking constant reassurance about your looks
- Avoiding photos, social events, or intimacy
Emotional signs of body dysmorphia include:
- Shame and embarrassment about your appearance
- Anxiety, especially in social settings
- Perfectionism or a constant feeling of "not enough"
Facts about body dysmorphia:
- It affects both men and women, often starting in adolescence
- It’s estimated that 1 in 50 people in the U.S. experience BDD
- BDD is often misdiagnosed or goes undiagnosed
The Psychological Toll of Beauty Culture
Let’s talk about social media. With every scroll, we see filtered, posed, edited photos that shape our understanding of what's "normal." Influencers push "body goals," products, and fitness routines that promise transformation. But these curated images are often unattainable.
Summer intensifies these messages. Swimsuits, crop tops, and sunny vacations make body visibility feel unavoidable. For people struggling with their body image, this can be excruciating.
The link between body image and mental health is strong:
- Low self-esteem
- Anxiety and depression
- Isolation and withdrawal from social life
The message we receive is: fix your body to fix your life. But that’s simply not true.
How to Deal with Body Dysmorphia: Steps Toward Healing
First, if you or someone you love is struggling with body dysmorphia: this is real, and it’s not your fault. You're not being vain, dramatic, or attention-seeking. You’re dealing with a mental health condition, and help is available. Below are a few ways on how to overcome body dysmorphia.
Therapy Options for Body Dysmorphia:
- Intuitive eating work: Rebuilding trust with your body and food.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps reframe distorted thoughts.
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): Particularly useful if BDD has OCD-like behaviors.
- Medication: SSRIs can help in some cases.
- Support Groups: Finding others who understand can be incredibly validating.
Day-to-Day Coping Tools for Body Dysmorphia:
- Unfollow triggering content: Curate your social media to lift you up, not tear you down.
- Practice body neutrality: You don’t have to love your body, but you can respect it.
- Journal thought distortions: Notice negative self-talk and challenge it.
- Limit mirror time: Reduce compulsive checking.
- Focus on functionality: What your body can do, not how it looks.
- Remember this: It’s not about suddenly loving your body — it’s about finding peace with it.
In the work I do with clients, I take a comprehensive and compassionate approach to healing. I incorporate the Intuitive Eating model, which helps clients rebuild trust with their bodies and with food. Together, we work on making peace with food and embracing body positivity — not the kind you see plastered on social media, but the kind that runs deep and meaningful.
I break down body positivity into four core pillars:
- Body image: Working to develop a more accurate and accepting view of the body.
- Self-compassion: Treating yourself with kindness, especially when you struggle.
- Self-care: Building daily habits that nourish your whole self — not just your appearance.
- Mindfulness: Being present and aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
By working on these areas, we're not just challenging harmful beliefs — we're creating a culture of appreciation for the body. And over time, clients find themselves less vulnerable to the outside messages we’re bombarded with every day.
Your Body Is Not a Season
There is no such thing as a "summer body." There is only your body, in summer.
The idea that we need to shape-shift to enjoy warm weather is absurd. You don’t need to earn sunshine or wear a certain size to deserve joy, connection, or fun.
Therapy can be an empowering step in reclaiming your relationship with your body. You are not alone in this struggle, and healing and overcoming body dysmorphia is absolutely possible
Let’s stop chasing ideals and start embracing reality. Not the filtered version. Not the "before and after."
The you that exists right now is worthy of care, compassion, and respect — in every season. If you're struggling, consider speaking with a therapist and/or reaching out to support groups like the BDD Foundation or NEDA. You're not alone.