The holidays can be a difficult time for
people recovering from eating disorders. There’s the abundance of food and the
potential for family conflict. There’s the addition of tons of tasks to your
list. It can be overwhelming, no doubt.
That’s why I’m pleased to share some insight
from experts at the Eating Recovery Center on how to overcome these
kinds of obstacles and stay healthy.
1. Have a plan. Dr.
Ovidio Bermudez, MD, chief medical officer and medical director of child and
adolescent services at Eating Recovery Center, stressed the importance of
communicating with your treatment team.
Create a plan for the holidays that emphasizes
recovery, and prepare for the what-ifs that might come up, he said. For
instance, consider how you’ll navigate the stressors that used to trigger a
relapse for you. Consider the many healthy options you’ll use to cope with
stress and potential challenges.
2. Be gentle with
yourself. Recovery takes practice. According to Bonnie Brennan, MA, LPC,
clinical director of Eating Recovery Center’s Partial Hospitalization Program:
If you do find yourself overeating or resorting
to disordered eating behaviors, be gentle with yourself. The holidays are the
hardest time of the year for individuals with eating disorders and you are not
expected to be perfect. It is important to remember that a healthy relationship
with food takes practice. You wouldn’t expect a piano student to play a
concerto perfectly in front of an audience would you? Use any slips this
holiday season as opportunities to reinvest in your recovery rather that beat
yourself up and add to the pain.
3. Focus on what you
value. Cultivate gratitude about what’s important to you this holiday
season. According to Elizabeth Easton, PsyD, clinical director of child and
adolescent services at Eating Recovery Center’s Behavioral Hospital for Children and
Adolescents:
Try focusing on the holidays in a broader
context with an emphasis on what you value. This can help individuals in
recovery from an eating disorder shift from getting lost in the details that
may trigger feelings of anxiety, sadness or fear.
When we focus on the “bigger picture” during
the holidays, the chance to spend time with friends and family, finding [a]
present for a loved one or the opportunity to slow down and recognize what you
are grateful for, the holidays no longer focus on eating disordered behaviors,
but rather our values.
“Remember that you are celebrating and
honoring traditions, both within your family and, when applicable, of your
religious and cultural upbringing,” said Karen Trevithick, PsyD, CEDS, clinical
director of outpatient services at Eating Recovery Center.
4. Focus on
relationships. Eating disorders tend to narrow your world, and separate you
from the people in your life. During the holidays, instead of isolating
yourself, try to connect with others.
This can be as simple as starting a
conversation. “When you are spending time with friends and loved ones, try to
engage in conversations,” Trevithick said. “It is OK to be curious about others
and their own experiences this past year.”
These are additional tips from Eating Recovery
Center’s press release:
·
Turn the focus from food. Make
togetherness, rather than food, the central theme of your holiday season and
seek opportunities to plan and attend events that do not center around a meal.
·
Avoid “overbooking” your schedule.
Prioritize your health and wellbeing over attending every holiday party, and be
realistic about what you can manage.
·
Surround yourself with people who have healthy
relationships with their bodies and food. If possible, bring a
trusted family member or friend with you to holiday gatherings for support.
By the way, you might find this post on holiday coping helpful. Stay tuned
tomorrow for insight on supporting a loved one with an eating disorder during
the holidays.
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