The Effects of Seasonal Changes on Eating Disorders
How Seasonal Changes Affect Our Mood and Eating Habits: Insights from a Westport Therapist
As the seasons change here in Connecticut, I notice something important in my work with clients: our moods and habits often shift right along with the weather. For some, the crisp fall air or longer summer days feel energizing. But for many, especially those struggling with eating disorders or body image concerns, these seasonal transitions can bring new challenges.
Why Seasonal Shifts Can Impact Mental Health
The Role of Light and Mood
Here in New England, we’re no strangers to shorter, darker days as fall and winter arrive. Less sunlight means our bodies produce less serotonin, the “feel-good” brain chemical, and more melatonin, which can leave us feeling sluggish or down. For some, this dip can progress into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Even if you don’t have SAD, it’s common to feel lower energy, more irritability, or just an overall sense of feeling “down” as daylight fades. While this can feel like a personal mood shift that needs to be adjusted, these are actually biological responses to the season. But for someone already battling disordered eating or body dysmorphia, they can become powerful triggers.
When Routines Get Disrupted
The change of seasons often brings schedule shifts with the return to school, the holiday rush in December, and the change from summer relaxation to more rigid and busy school schedules. In my practice, I’ve seen how even small disruptions to daily rhythms can make recovery from an eating disorder more difficult.
With changes in mealtimes, a spike in stress around schoolwork or schedule changes, and less opportunity to engage in regular self-care, it’s easy to feel unanchored. For those in recovery, this can sometimes lead to relapses or heightened urges around food and body control.
Why Eating Disorders Often Flare Up in During Seasonal Changes
The Holiday Season and Food Pressure
The holiday season often means being surrounded by vibrant community gatherings, family meals, and social events. While these can be joyful, they can also feel overwhelming for anyone struggling with food. Holiday tables filled with comments about “indulgence” or jokes about “working off the extra calories” can sting deeply.
For my clients, this time of year can amplify anxiety, guilt, and shame around food. Add in the pressure of family dynamics, and it’s no surprise that eating disorder symptoms often rise during the holiday months.
The Pressure of Seasonal Clothing
Each season brings different clothing, cozy layers in the fall, swimsuits in the summer. For someone struggling with body dysmorphic disorder, these changes can be very triggering. I’ve sat with clients who dread summer because of revealing clothes, while others find the shift to fitted fall outfits increases body-checking behaviors.
And in today’s society where health, appearance, and fitness are often emphasized, these pressures can feel especially sharp.
Signs to Watch For During Seasonal Transitions
If you’re wondering whether seasonal change might be affecting you or someone you love, here are some red flags I often see in my practice:
Skipping meals or avoiding food-centered events
Preoccupation with body weight or appearance
Excessive exercise or guilt after eating
Changes in sleep or energy levels
Withdrawing from friends or family
Mood swings or irritability that seem tied to the season
Recognizing these shifts early is crucial. Eating disorders thrive in silence, but reaching out for support, whether through therapy, community resources, or trusted loved ones, can make a huge difference.
How I Help My Clients Navigate Seasonal Shifts
As a therapist, one of my favorite parts of this work is helping people build small, manageable tools that make seasonal changes less overwhelming. Some strategies I often share include:
1. Create Steady Routines
Keeping meal times, movement, and sleep consistent provides structure when the external world feels unpredictable. Many of my clients benefit from setting reminders or meal planning during seasonal transitions.
2. Maximize Sunlight and Fresh Air
We’re lucky to have access to so many beautiful outdoor spaces in Fairfield, Connecticut, from Compo Beach to Winslow Park. Even 15 minutes of morning sunlight or a quick walk outside can help boost mood and regulate circadian rhythm.
3. Prepare for Triggers Before They Happen
We can’t always control family conversations or diet culture at social events, but we can prepare. I often help clients practice boundary-setting phrases like:
“I’d rather not talk about diets today.”
“I’m focusing on enjoying the company, not calories.”
Having these tools ready helps reduce stress in the moment.
4. Reach Out Early for Support
The sooner you reach out, the easier it is to prevent a spiral. Whether it’s therapy, a support group, or confiding in a trusted friend, early intervention matters. In my therapy practices, I encourage clients to schedule check-ins during these transitional times, even if things feel “okay”, because proactive care often prevents bigger setbacks.
If you're looking for eating disorder therapy in Fairfield or Westport, CT or across Connecticut via telehealth, my practice is here to support you. If you're seeking support for disordered eating or want to work on improving your relationship with your body, you're not alone. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation or learn more about our eating disorder therapy services in Fairfield County and virtually throughout Connecticut.
With Love,
Briana
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