Assorted rants, posts, support, whatnot for those of us who deal with eating disorders, recovery from them, and participation from a real, loving, involved Creator! He's amazing! "Arise!"
Monday, November 26, 2012
Twelve Ideas...
Twelve Ideas to Help People with Eating
Disorders Negotiate the Holidays
Courtesy of: Center for Change / Compiled by: Michael E. Berrett, PhD
Eat regularly and in some kind of reasonable pattern. Avoid “preparing for the last
supper.” Don’t skip meals and starve in an attempt to make up for what you recently
ate or are about to eat. Keep a regular and moderate pattern.
2. Worry more about the size of your heart than the size of your hips! It is the holiday
season, a great time to reflect, enjoy relationships with loved ones, and most
importantly, a time to feel gratitude for blessings received and to give back through
loving service to others.
3. Discuss your anticipation of the holidays with your therapist, physician, dietitian, or
other members of your treatment team so that they can help you predict, prepare for,
and get through any uncomfortable family interactions without self-destructive coping
attempts.
4. Have a well-thought-out game plan before you go home or invite others into your
home. Know “where the exits are,” where your support people are, and how you’ll
recognize when it’s time to make a quick exit and get connected with needed support.
5. Talk with loved ones about important issues: decisions, victories, challenges, fears,
concerns, dreams, goals, special moments, spirituality, relationships and your feelings
about them. Allow important themes to be present. Allow yourself to have fun rather
than rigidly focusing on food or body concerns.
6. Think of someone to call if you are struggling with addictive behaviors, or with
negative thoughts or difficult emotions. Alert them ahead of time; let them know of
your concerns, needs, and the possibility of you calling them for emotional support.
7. Consider choosing one loved one to be your “reality check” with food, to either help
fix a plate for you or to give you sound feedback on the food portion sizes you make
for yourself.
8. Write down your vision of where you would like your mind and heart to be during
this holiday time with loved ones. Take time, several times per day, to find a quiet
place to get in tune with your vision, to remember, to nurture, and to center yourself
in the thoughts, feelings, and actions that match your vision for yourself.
Twelve Ideas to Help People with Eating
Disorders Negotiate the Holidays
Courtesy of: Center for Change / Compiled by: Michael E. Berrett, PhD
Eating Disorders Information (continued)
© 2011 National Eating Disorders Association. Permission is granted to copy and reprint materials for
educational purposes only. National Eating Disorders Association must be cited and web address listed.
9. Focus your personal goals for your time with loved ones during the holidays. Make them about “doing something”
rather than about trying to prevent something. It’s fine to have food goals, but make sure you add personal,
emotional, spiritual, and relationship goals as well.
10. Work on being flexible in your thoughts. Learn to be flexible when setting guidelines for yourself and expectations
of yourself and others. Strive to be flexible in what you can eat during the holidays. Take a holiday from self-imposed
criticism, rigidity, and perfectionism.
11. Stay active in your support group, or join one if you are not currently involved. Many support groups can be helpful:
12-step groups, co-dependency groups, eating disorder therapy groups, book clubs, neighborhood game groups, and
religious- or spiritually oriented groups are examples of groups that may give real support. Isolation and withdrawal
from positive support are not the way to get through trying times.
12. Avoid “overstressing” and “overbooking” yourself. A lower sense of stress can decrease the perceived need to turn to
eating-disordered behaviors or other unhelpful coping strategies. Cut down on unnecessary events and obligations
and leave time for relaxation, contemplation, reflection, spiritual renewal, simple service, and enjoying the small yet
most important things in life. This will help you experience and enjoy a sense of gratitude and peace.
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