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Holiday Eating Disorder Survival Part I
This is the first post in a series about developing strategies to manage your eating disorder over the holidays. As we ALL know, the holidays can be a wonderful, joyful time filled with family and friends. However, holidays are often a stressful time. There is a lot of focus on food, an overabundance of food and many social activities that can be overwhelming or bring up memories of the past.
The first and possibly most important tip for navigating the holidays and eating disorder recovery is: PLAN AHEAD
- If possible, communicate your comfort level with family and friends before events. Ask people not to make comments about your food choices, appearance or weight.
- Stick to your meal plan as much as you can while at social activities. This can help you maintain a sense of normalcy during a busy time.
- Bring a dish to share. This way you know there will be at least one food at the event that feels safe and comfortable for you.
- Try to identify potential difficult areas before the events. Talk them over wih your therapist or a friend. Identify ways of responding or coping ahead of time so you feel prepared.
- Review available food when you arrive at the event. Make a plan in your head about what you will eat. Stick to that plan.
The key here is thinking ahead. Identifying what works for you and honoring that. A change of schedule and overabundance does not mean you will lose control. Take the time to identify triggers and think through your responses. This way, you will arrive knowing how you would like to respond and best care for you.
Comments? Questions? Stories of holiday survival success? Please share. More tips to come!
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