Holidays
and special occasions are often very stressful periods for individuals with
food and weight problems. The emphasis on spending time with family and on
celebrating with food can be very difficult. Based on past experience, and an
understanding of yourself and of the people close to you, you may be able to
avoid, or cope constructively with, uncomfortable situations. For example:
- Predict high stress times
and places; decide which events you will and won't attend, and plan to
have some time to yourself to restore yourself and take care of your own
needs.
- Predict which people
might make you most uncomfortable and plan appropriate ways of excusing
yourself from their company.
- If at all possible, allow
yourself to enjoy a moderate amount of "special occasion foods."
- Predict what people might
say that would lead you to feel uncomfortable. Plan and practice
responses. Ask people not to comment on your body, appearance, or eating
habits.
- Predict negative thoughts
that you might have during the holidays, and practice thinking
differently.
- Carry with you a list of
phone numbers of friends and crisis lines, and a list of self-soothing
activities.
It may be helpful to realize that the "picture-book" holiday
sense is not a reality for many people. Some cannot afford it, there are many
single people who are not close to their families or do not have a family, and
there are many families that do not fit into the dominant cultural model of
"family". Do not blame yourself for family or friendship conflicts.
People are not different during the holidays than any other time of the year.
Remember that you are responsible only for your own actions and for taking care
of yourself.
National Eating Disorder Information
Centre (NEDIC)
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