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Eating Disorders and the Holidays

The holiday season can be difficult for all of us, but it can be especially tough on people who are dealing with eating disorders. The stress and bustle of the holiday season can be especially hard on people who are battling an eating disorder. Shopping, family visits, and the prominence of food can make it almost too much to bear. Here are six ideas to help eating disorder patients deal with the holiday season.

1. Be honest about your anxiety about the holiday season. Hopefully, if you are suffering from an eating disorder, you are currently receiving some kind of therapy or counseling. Speak to your therapist about your concerns and anxieties about the holiday season. Hopefully, you and your therapist can come up with ideas and coping mechanisms to get you through the season. Moreover, talking about your anxieties can help allay your fears.

2. Eat at regular intervals. Many eating disorder patients will avoid meals for fear of gaining weight or losing control. Cancel out these fears by taking care to eat healthy meals at regular intervals. Avoid unhealthy eating patterns that may seem reasonable during the holiday season. For example, don't starve yourself to "make up" for eating too much at other times, and don't skip means in anticipation of a big upcoming meal. Rather, eat reasonably sized meals at regular intervals, and don't feel guilty about indulging in holiday sweets or treats. Simply propose to eat in moderation, with an emphasis on healthy foods that you enjoy.

3. Prepare a game plan for holiday visits. If you plan to have visitors or visit someone yourself, strategize for ways to deal with holiday visits ahead of time. Planning ahead of time can help quell much of the anxiety that accompanies the holiday season. If possible, build a support network of friends or family members that you trust. Contact someone you trust if you feel begin to feel anxious. Prepare an 'exit strategy' from social gatherings or other moments where you think you'll feel overwhelmed.

4. Cut down on unnecessary holiday stress by planning ahead of time. Before the frenzy of the holiday season hits, sit down and make a list of all the things that worry you. Which of these things can you take care of ahead of time to avoid feeling overburdened by duties and chores? Holiday shopping and other holiday-related tasks can be completed well before the busiest time of the holiday season. Avoid last minute tasks by preparing ahead of time. This will help cut down on the cumulative effect of the holidays.

5. Create a gratitude journal. The holidays are a great time to take stock of all the good things in your life. Why not sit down and create an inventory of all the things you are grateful in your life? This is a wonderful and helpful exercise that can help you feel more satisfied about your life, and more grateful for what you have.

6. Learn the advantage of being flexible. Health researchers have noted that those with flexible personalities tend to suffer from less stress and tend to live longer than people who are more rigid in their life. Being flexible means that you can let go of some of your anxieties in order to enjoy the warmth of the holiday season.