5 Non-Food Related Holiday Activities
With the holiday season in full swing, it can feel like a marathon of parties, gifts, and seasonal foods! While there are a lot of different traditions you may participate in, if you struggle with food and body distress, focusing on food during the holidays can feel incredibly difficult. But what can you do?
By: Alexandra Carter
Refocusing on your experiences, values, and connection in recovery is often vital. Eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors leave no room to focus on what makes the holidays so special and can leave you feeling lonely and isolated. That is why it is essential to concentrate on rediscovering what is important to you while prioritizing connection in a recovery-aligned way.
So, here are five ways to add experience and value-based activities this holiday season.
Have a Holiday Movie Marathon
Spending quality time with your loved ones is one of the most important aspects of the holiday season. Start a new holiday tradition of watching festive movies together. Grab some blankets, put on comfy clothes, and enjoy making these memories or even starting a new tradition.
Do a Craft
This is a great way to spend time with friends and family without focusing on food. Get your creative juices flowing, put on some festive music, and try something new. You could even do a gift exchange with whatever you make!
Here are some ideas for crafts to make:
Volunteer
Volunteering is a rewarding way to spend the holiday. Check with local food banks and homeless shelters to see what opportunities exist. Or find other ways to give back to your community this season. Make holiday cards for a local nursing home or hospital and spread holiday cheer. Get into the true spirit of giving while doing something bigger than yourself this holiday season.
Play Games
Board games, card games, video games, whatever speaks to you! Get together with friends and family for a holiday fame night. This is a great way to spend time and connect with loved ones without gathering around food.
See a Show or Performance
There are lots of festive holiday performances that happen this time of year. Get in the holiday spirit by attending one of these events. Whether it’s a production of The Nutcracker, a visit to Madison Square Graden to see the Rockettes, a local choir singing holiday songs, or a festive light show, see what options are available in your area!
Center Recovery in all Holiday Activities
The holidays can be stressful if you are struggling with or recovering from food and body distress. Make sure you support yourself and your well-being no matter what activities you participate in. This means setting recovery-aligned boundaries and honoring your needs despite expectations, planning ahead of time to feel secure, and leading with self-compassion. The holiday season doesn’t need to be perfect; it never will be, but you deserve to feel comfortable, safe, and respected no matter where you are in your journey.
While the holidays are supposed to be a time of togetherness, tradition, and merriment, it can feel stressful and isolating for those with an eating disorder. Let BALANCE help you navigate the holidays and set the stage for lasting recovery. Our 12-day winter intensive program can help you jump-start your recovery. Our exclusive winter eating disorder treatment program fits conveniently within your winter break schedule, allowing you to invest in transformative care. Connect with our admissions team and learn more about our 12-day winter intensive program here.
This post was written by Intuitive Eating | HAES Content Creator, Alexandra Carter (she/her).
Alexandra Carter is a professional actor, turned certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and Health and Wellbeing Coach, turned Content Creator. After moving to NYC for her undergraduate degree in Musical Theater, Alexandra spent 10 years working all over the world as an actor/singer/dancer. Through her own healing journey, Alexandra found her way to the anti-diet space and went on to gain coaching and counseling certifications, in addition to starting her own coaching business. It was there she fell in love with content creation as a way of sharing ideas, genuinely connecting with people, and affecting powerful change. Alexandra is thrilled to be on the team at BALANCE, combining all her skills and passions to foster authentic healing.
Reference
Pono, A. (2022, November 11). Non-food related holiday activities for those in Eating disorder recovery. Central Coast Treatment Center. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://www.centralcoasttreatmentcenter.com/blog-1/non-food-related-holiday-activities-eating-disorder-recovery