Rosewood Provides Expert Tips for Coping with Self-Image During the Summertime

(PRWEB) August 01, 2011

Medical experts at Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders, one of the nation’s top treatment centers, know summer months and the activities associated with the season are known to spark a negative body image. Both men and women’s anxiety skyrocket in warmer months when people are surrounded by outdoor activities such as pool parties, beach vacations and outdoor barbeques. Rosewood dieticians have some key tips for people to keep in mind to maintain a healthy perspective and lifestyle during the summer.

Rosewood’s Director of Nutritional Services, Cindy Elms, RD says, “Summer can be a challenging time for many of us when it comes to body image. We’ve pulled together some key ideas that touch on everything from nutrition to new ways of thinking about eating and our bodies.”

Four top tips to keep healthy and maintain a positive body image:

   •      Adequate hydration Adequate hydration affects everything – from hunger, the way you feel, the way you function, how you sleep and much more. Under normal circumstances, it’s important to drink eight glasses or 64 ounces of water a day. But when you’re in extreme dry or humid temperatures – like the desert Southwest – it’s imperative to add on an additional 32 ounces of water to your daily intake. In addition, be sure to incorporate summer fruits high in water content such as watermelon, pineapple and peaches which count toward the 96 ounces. It’s important to note that caffeinated beverages such as iced tea, iced coffee and soda are actually dehydrating and don’t count towards your water intake. Alcohol consumption should also be closely monitored as well.

   •      Convenient and enjoyable cooking Many people are wary of eating too many grilled foods since some studies show well done and burnt meats may increase cancer risk or other problems when consumed in large amounts. One way to combat this worry is to wrap your meat and vegetables in foil so you can still enjoy outdoor cooking.

   •      Turn focus to function Many men and women feel uncomfortable swimming in their bathing suit. When feeling self-conscious, try a different way of thinking. Move from a focus on what you look like to an appreciation of what the function of each body part is. Be thankful for what your arms and legs are capable of doing which allow you to swim. Using affirmations can help you change your way of thinking. A good one to use is: “my body does not define me.” If you have a clear sense about what you love in life, what your qualities are and how you want to function in relationships, does your body keep you from doing that? Or is it true that your body doesn’t define you and you’re not limited to what you do and say because of your body? Changing the way you think about yourself can have powerful results.

   •      Eat and socialize with people you enjoy With all the social eating opportunities that arise during summer months, it’s helpful to surround yourself with company you enjoy. Otherwise you may feel self-conscious about what you eat, what you look like while you’re eating or should you eat. When you eat with people you enjoy and feel comfortable with, you’re less likely to be plagued by those insecurities. And if you throw your own summer get-together you can create the invite list and plan some games and activities to get everyone involved which will help you keep a healthy perspective.

For additional reading on body image and eating, Rosewood recommends The Rules of Normal Eating by Karen R. Koenig; Big Fat Lies – The Truth about Weight and Health by Glenn A. Gaesser or Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole. These books can help you see yourself functionally rather than focusing solely on appearance.

Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders provides comprehensive care for both men and women who are undergoing anorexia, bulimia, binge eating or other related issues while addressing the underlying causes and co-occurring disorders. The Rosewood Center in Wickenburg, Ariz. offers inpatient residential and partial hospitalization with a 28-bed adult facility and a 14-bed adolescent facility. Additionally, Rosewood has an intensive outpatient clinic in Tempe, Ariz. with a transitional living facility. Since 1998, Rosewood has been dedicated to providing patients the highest-level of care while providing a culture necessary for growth and healing through a holistic, individualized and multi-disciplinary approach.

ABOUT ROSEWOOD
Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders® is a distinguished leader in eating disorder treatment since 1998. Rosewood offers inpatient and outpatient treatment for male and female adults and teens suffering from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other complex disorders. Rosewood’s multidisciplinary team of experts includes psychiatrists, physicians, masters level therapists, addiction specialists, registered dietitians and a nursing team. Rosewood accepts insurance and handles admissions and intake 24/7. For more information, please call 800-845-2211 or visit http://www.rosewoodranch.com.

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