In this episode, hosts Lamia and Mandy dive into a timely topic as summer heats up: the pressure to attain the elusive "summer body." This societal ideal is heavily promoted by media, advertising, and social norms, often leading to harmful consequences for our mental and physical health. Join us as we explore the origins of the summer body ideal, its impact on self-esteem, and practical tips for navigating these pressures.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction to the Summer Body Pressure
  • Lamia and Mandy discuss the seasonal pressure to achieve a "summer body."
  • The influence of rising temperatures and outdoor activities on body image.
• Media and Social Norms
  • How media, advertising, and social norms promote unrealistic beauty standards.
  • The harmful effects of striving for the ideal summer body, including anxiety, stress, and disordered eating.
• Defining the Summer Body Ideal
  • Lamia breaks down the societal and cultural roots of the summer body concept.
  • The role of immediate social circles in perpetuating these ideals.
• Personal Experiences
  • Lamia and Mandy share their personal struggles with summer body expectations.
  • The impact on social events, clothing choices, and overall mental wellbeing.
• The Role of Social Media and Advertising
  • How platforms like Instagram and TikTok contribute to body dissatisfaction.
  • Research findings on the link between social media exposure and eating disorders
  • The influence of 80s and 90s media, including magazines and TV shows, on body image.
  • The portrayal of thin, tan, and often blonde ideals in popular culture.
• Critical Media Literacy
  • The importance of questioning and analyzing media messages.
  • Programs that teach media literacy to reduce body dissatisfaction.
• Practical Tips for a Healthier Body Image
  • Detox Your Feed: Curate a social media feed that promotes body neutrality.
  • Limit Screen Time: Tools and tips to reduce time spent on social media.
  • Educate Yourself: Understand how media manipulates images and promotes certain ideals.
  • Practice Gratitude: Shift focus from appearance to appreciation of what your body can do.
• Resources
  • Downloadable workbook to help clean your social media feed.
  • Free guide on body acceptance and gratitude practice.

Resources Mentioned:

• Workbook: Detox Your Social Media Feed
• Guide: How to Start Accepting My Body at Every Size English Version / Spanish Version

• Botta, R. A. (1999). Television images and adolescent girls' body image disturbance. Journal of communication, 49(2), 22-41.
• Harrison, K., & Cantor, J. (1997). The relationship between media consumption and eating disorders. Journal of communication, 47(1), 40-67.
• Aparicio-Martinez, P., Perea-Moreno, A. J., Martinez-Jimenez, M. P., Redel-Macías, M. D., Pagliari, C., & Vaquero-Abellan, M. (2019). Social media, thin-ideal, body dissatisfaction and disordered eating attitudes: An exploratory analysis. International journal of e

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