3 Tips For Preparing For A Halloween Party In Eating Disorder Recovery
Halloween is just around the corner, meaning decorations will be on full display, trick-or-treaters will be getting their candy buckets ready, and Halloween-themed parties will celebrate the spooky season.
By: Regina Colie
Although Halloween can be thrilling, with friends and family dressing up in costumes and attending haunted houses, people in eating disorder recovery may feel more anxious than excited.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for spooky parties while staying recovery-focused:
Wear a Costume that Makes You Feel Comfortable
Whether you go all out or keep things simple for your costume this year, what matters this Halloween is that you wear what makes you feel comfortable and cozy. Unfortunately, there is social pressure to wear an eye-catching costume. The important thing to remember is that Halloween is all about exploring your creativity and dressing up in an outfit that reflects your interests. Focusing on costume ideas that make you happy can be helpful instead of worrying about what others will think. That way, you can still enjoy the festivities without the pressure of needing to dress up like everyone else.
Bring a Support Person to Your Halloween-Themed Plans
If you plan on hosting a Halloween party with your family or going out with your friends, be sure to have someone you trust to help you navigate the spooky nights. Having someone with you can help alleviate some of the negative thoughts or feelings that may arise during eating disorder recovery. Or, if you chose not to attend a Halloween party this year, there are still many fall-themed activities to participate in! You can still enjoy the holiday at home by making new traditions with your friends or family. Consider other fall-themed activities like visiting a pumpkin patch, apple picking, watching cozy movies, or decorating for the season.
Plan Ahead and Set Boundaries
Planning and setting boundaries are essential for making your Halloween fun and enjoyable and helping you care for yourself and navigate your recovery. If you don't feel up to participating in certain activities or still want to attend a party but aren't sure how to navigate a new scenario, talk with your family and friends beforehand about how you'd like to celebrate the evening. Clearly defining what is comfortable for you in your recovery can help you enjoy the fun this Halloween!
Remember, there is no right or wrong way to celebrate Halloween this year. You can say no to plans, put yourself first if you do not feel comfortable, and prioritize your recovery with every step. Don’t hesitate to contact your support system or treatment team to help ease this process.
Join BALANCE Registered Dietitian Genevieve Prushinski, MS, RD (she/her) on Friday, October 27th, at 12 PM ET for a FREE Unmasking Fear Foods: A Halloween Recovery Webinar. In this webinar, you will learn to identify your fear foods and food anxieties and understand how they impact your life, practice methods to overcome food-based anxiety, unpack diet culture’s role in amplifying your stress around food, learn when and how to reach out for help with food-based anxiety, and more. Learn more about this webinar and sign up here!
Our admissions team would happily answer any questions about you or a loved one receiving eating disorder treatment. Book a free consultation call with our admissions team below, or read more about our philosophy here.
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Contributor, Regina Colie (she/her).
Regina Colie is a blog contributor for BALANCE, whose previous work has been featured in Project HEAL and Nourishing NY. She is an alumnus of The New School of Social Research, where she received her Masters in Psychology. After attending Marymount Manhattan College, she had the opportunity to be published in Dr. Nava Silton's book, The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Child, Adolescent, and Adult Development.
References
Grohsman, B. (2023, May 26). 5 tips for navigating Halloween in Eating Disorder Recovery - Virtue Recovery Center. Virtue Recovery Center. https://www.virtuerecoverycenter.com/blog/5-tips-for-navigating-halloween-in-eating-disorder-recovery/
Carolina House. (2022). Enjoying Halloween While in Recovery from an Eating Disorder. Eating Disorder Hope. https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/blog/enjoying-halloween-while-in-recovery-from-an-eating-disorder
Veritas Collaborative. (2023). Halloween with an Eating Disorder Can Be Scary. Veritas Collaborative. https://veritascollaborative.com/blog/halloween-with-an-eating-disorder-can-be-scary/