Why We Should Ditch the Concept of the “Summer Body”

During beach season, many of us may start feeling the mental pressure to do something about our bodies as we scroll through our social media feeds. Pictures, videos, posts, and articles suggest an ideal image of a summer body — preferably slim and toned, with tight abs. The weight stigma that comes together with hot weather can negatively affect our mental health and self-confidence, and we may feel frustrated that we haven’t achieved that “perfect summer body” that might let us sparkle in bathing suits.