When Break Isn’t a Break: Navigating Spring & Summer in Eating Disorder Recovery

By: Olivia Kline, EDC Administrative Assistant

For a lot of people, spring and summer breaks are something to look forward to, like more freedom, sunshine, vacations, and a pause from academic stress. But if you’re in eating disorder recovery, breaks can feel complicated, overwhelming, or even scary.

If that’s where you are right now, you’re not alone. And more importantly, you’re not doing recovery wrong just because this season feels hard.

Let’s talk about why breaks can be challenging, and how to move through them in a way that supports your recovery.


Why Breaks Can Feel So Difficult

1. Loss of Structure
During the school year, your days likely have some built-in routine like classes, study time, scheduled meals between activities. When break hits, that structure often disappears.

​Without it, you might notice:

• Skipping meals or forgetting to eat
• More intrusive thoughts about food or body image
• Feeling ungrounded or out of control

2. Being Back at Home (or in a New Environment)
Whether you’re returning home, staying on campus, or traveling, a change in environment can bring up challenges:

• Family dynamics or comments about food and bodies
• Old habits or memories tied to that space
• Less privacy around meals or routines

3. Increased Social Pressure
Spring and Summer tend to come with:

• Pool days, beach trips, vacations
• Events centered around food (BBQs, parties, holidays)
• More body exposure and comparison

This can amplify body image struggles and make you feel like you’re being watched or judged, even when you’re not.

4. “Summer Body” Culture
Let’s be real: messaging around needing to “look a certain way” ramps up this time of year. Even if you know it’s harmful, it can still get in your head.


What You Can Do to Support Yourself

You don’t have to handle this perfectly. Recovery isn’t about perfection, it’s about continuing to show up for yourself in small, meaningful ways.

1. Create Gentle Structure
You don’t need a rigid schedule, but having a loose rhythm can help:

• Aim for consistent meals and snacks throughout the day
• Set reminders if eating regularly feels hard
• Anchor your day with a few predictable habits (morning routine, walk, journaling)

Think of structure as support, not restriction.

2. Make a Break Plan (Yes, Really)
Before break starts, or even now, ask yourself:

• What situations might be triggering?
• What coping skills have worked before?
• Who can I reach out to if I’m struggling?

You can even write a short “recovery plan” for the break. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just something you can come back to when things feel shaky.

3. Set Boundaries Where You Can
This might look like:

• Changing the subject if someone comments on bodies or food
• Spending less time in conversations that feel harmful
• Curating your social media feed (unfollow, mute, block—protect your space)

​You are allowed to protect your recovery.

4. Expect Body Image Fluctuations
Warmer weather, different clothes, and more social exposure can intensify body image thoughts. That doesn’t mean you’re going backward.

Try:

• Wearing clothes that feel comfortable instead of “acceptable”
• Practicing body neutrality (“My body is allowed to exist as it is today”)
• Limiting body checking behaviors

Bad body image days are part of recovery—not a sign of failure.

5. Stay Connected
Isolation can make everything louder.

Even if your schedule changes, try to stay connected to:

• A therapist, dietitian, or support group (if you have one)
• Trusted friends who understand or respect your recovery
• Online recovery communities (if they feel safe and helpful)

You don’t have to go through this alone.

6. Redefine What “Enjoying Break” Means
There’s a lot of pressure to make breaks “perfect” or “fun all the time.” But real life isn’t like that, especially in recovery.

Maybe enjoying your break looks like:

• Getting enough rest
• Relearning how to eat regularly without school structure
• Spending time with people who feel safe
• Having moments of peace, even if they’re small

 

A Reminder You Might Need

You don’t have to earn your place in summer.

Not by changing your body.
Not by eating “perfectly.”
Not by being fully recovered.

You are allowed to exist, take up space, and participate in your life exactly as you are.


If Things Feel Hard

If you find yourself struggling more than expected:

• Reach out sooner rather than later
• Go back to the basics (regular eating, rest, support)
• Be honest with yourself about what you need

Recovery isn’t linear, and breaks can bring up new layers. That doesn’t erase the progress you’ve made.

Spring and Summer might not feel easy, but they can still be meaningful. And every time you choose to support yourself, even in small ways, you’re continuing forward.

​That matters more than you think.


Interested in therapy at The Eating Disorder Center?

At The Eating Disorder Center in Boca Raton, Florida, our clinicians, Jennifer Rollin LCSW-C and Lauren Levine, MSW, LCSW-C provide virtual therapy throughout the state of Florida. Reach out to us via our contact form or call us at 301-246-6856 to get started with a free 15-minute consultation with an eating disorder specialist. We are happy to answer any questions you have and provide more information about our center or the clinicians on the team! 

Interested in additional help beyond therapy?

If you’re looking for more help to supplement therapy, we offer eating disorder recovery coaching. Coaching can be a great addition to your treatment, and it can be a game-changer during recovery! Our coaches, Javoni Cobb, MA and ​Sarah Baginski, MSW are here to help you in your journey to finding freedom from food and body obsession.

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Schedule a free 15 min consult for eating disorder therapy in FL, or recovery coaching worldwide.

​Click here.

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Eating Disorder Therapy Boca Raton  is a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center founded by Jennifer Rollin, MSW, LCSW-C. We specialize in helping teens and adults struggling with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED, and body image issues. We provide virtual eating disorder therapy in Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Pinecrest, Parkland, Naples, Miami Shores, and Palmetto Bay. Virtual eating disorder therapy throughout Florida. ​