Blue Tree intern Maddy Lykourgos describes the gloomier side of summertime…
Summer is well underway, with temperatures continuing to soar across the country and records being broken all over Europe. Whether you’re enjoying the weather abroad along the beachside or having a staycation on a budget, one thing is likely to remain the same…this relentless heat. For anyone powering through at work, that means suffering through the commute, pretending to concentrate for 8 hours at a desk and coming home to what has essentially become a makeshift sauna. While we may want to be content with finally getting the climate we’ve always craved, it’s more difficult to deal with than expected.
While the discomfort of rising temperatures might mean just getting hot and sweaty, for many there is an overwhelming dread at the prospect of changing over to your typical ‘summer wardrobe’. Whether it’s scars and imperfections on your skin, or a dissatisfaction with your weight or muscle mass, getting so-called ‘summer ready’ is a breeding ground for insecurities.
It is a known fact that many women suffer with their body image, but statistics show that it is just as much a difficulty for men. The unfortunate truth is that the majority of the Western population will be dissatisfied with the body they have, especially when drawing comparisons to others. Whether it’s the fit or the patterns or amount of skin shown by typical summer-wear, it’s easy to feel uncomfortable and anxious about your body without even factoring in the heat.
Issues with body image are amongst the most common for individuals, especially during transitional periods of time where hormonal or age-related changes occur and impact one’s physiology. In itself, it is not necessarily a mental health issue, but it may be a component in developing a number of possible disorders if left unresolved. These may include body dysmorphic disorder, eating disorders, depression and anxiety when faced with going anywhere outside of comfort zone, because of the dread that couples getting ready.
As with any type of insecurities linked with our self-esteem, it can be particularly detrimental to all aspects of our lives when we carry these kinds of negative feelings about ourselves. However, there are a number of ways to work through the difficulties we have with our appearance; from nutritional planning to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Counselling. Here at Blue Tree, we pride ourselves on offering a wide scope of treatment options, offering a holistic approach to an individual’s concerns. Contact us now for more information on how to work through some of these commonly expressed difficulties.