Spring break is right around the corner and for many students, this means increased insecurities about their bodies and an obsession with getting the perfect “beach body.” Students who feel pressure to lose weight before their vacations may end up engaging in unhealthy and dangerous behaviors. The promise of body transformation on a deadline can be tempting, but the methods that many use can have negative health consequences, including slower metabolism, weakened immune systems, irritability, mental fogginess, and weight gain after the vacation is over.
The weeks leading up to spring break can be triggering times for people who have eating issues. Ideally, spring break can be a time to replenish our mind, body, and spirit. Do you feel as though the focus has shifted in an unhealthy direction when connecting with friends? A student in my office recently said “In February, all the conversations have shifted from our classes and our social lives to calories, workouts, tans, and bikinis. It is hard to get away from it. The obsession seems contagious and it can be hard to be the person to speak out against it. ” So, what can we do to support one another in pursuing a more balanced approach to wellness around spring break?
Shift your focus to your friends—it may sound trite, but college does not last forever. Enjoy the time you have together! Your weight is the least interesting thing about you. Create a pact to keep the focus in a healthy place; encouraging one another can be the best confidence booster.
If you are going to diet, try a media diet. Turn off the TV and put down those magazines that have a profound impact on your own body image. Don’t’ be afraid to ask for help if you feel like you are losing your balance. UHS and CAPS both have helpful resources and information on any and all of these topics.
Contributed by Kellie Carbone, UHS Health Educator