Body Image And Halloween Costumes
Halloween is just around the corner! The end of October means school is in full swing, the leaves are falling, and the air is chilly. There is something so exciting and thrilling about Halloween night. For some, however, these feelings may be overshadowed by food and body distress. If you are experiencing this stress, the pressure of elaborate costumes may make you feel uncomfortable about your body.
By: Regina Colie
Although many aspects encapsulate the holiday, the two main things are costumes and food. People spend a lot of time preparing their costumes and focusing on how they look for Halloween. However, for individuals struggling with an eating disorder, planning an outfit becomes thwarted by body image comparisons of themselves and others.
The Halloween Dilemma
While Halloween is a time for exploration and creativity, especially with elaborate costumes and makeup, the social media influence from apps such as TikTok and Instagram dominates the narrative, often determining the “likeability” of people’s costumes. There is significant pressure on those dressing up for Halloween to meet a specific body ideal. This focus on appearance rather than experience can lead to objectification both by themselves and others. A person's decision to wear a costume should not be subject to judgment, regardless of body image distress.
Additionally, discomfort surrounding food can become more prominent as topics of Halloween-themed foods and candy enter the conversation. There's no denying how much focus people put on pumpkin spice lattes and candy this time of year. The holiday and the accompanying season may stir anxieties for people in recovery or those still struggling. Michelle Pugle, in her article for Everyday Health, explains, “for people with a disorder characterized by binge eating behaviors, such as binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa, Halloween may spark worries of losing control around candy and other festive foods.” In reality, the key to feeling at ease among Halloween food, is the opposite of restriction. Instead, experts on disordered eating and eating disorders suggest allowing these “special” foods. The more permission you give yourself to eat and enjoy the more normalized these festive foods can become.
If you are feeling overwhelmed with the holiday this year or uneasy in any way, it is essential to ask for help or support. Lean on your support team for guidance as you navigate the holiday stress. You deserve to celebrate without the burden of food and body image distress. Remember, just like other holidays, Halloween is not about how you look. It’s about the experiences you have and the fun you share with friends and loved ones.
Here are four helpful tips to remember this Halloween (and beyond):
Prepare a Plan For the Day
Make sure you are eating consistently throughout the day while doing activities you enjoy.
Set Boundaries Leading Up to the Holiday
It is crucial to know what you are comfortable with regarding things like trick-or-treating or Halloween parties.
Allow All Foods
Grant yourself permission to eat and enjoy all foods, from the Reese’s Cups to the candy apples.
Reflect On All That You've Accomplished So Far In Your Recovery
Don’t let the overwhelm you feel cloud out how far you’ve come. You can do hard things!
Halloween Self-Care Not Scares
In their blog, The Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Treatment suggests, "regardless of where your Halloween takes you, the most important part is practicing self-care. Self-care means spending time with people who support your recovery and allowing yourself to enjoy that Snickers!" Nonetheless, for those who are in recovery, or know someone who is still struggling, remember that it is vital to have a support network who will help guide you through Halloween night, and of course, remember to take care of yourself.
At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, our compassionate, highly skilled team of clinicians is trained in diagnosing and treating the spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating and body image issues. The objectives of our weekly Body Image Group include gaining insight into the relationship with one's body and how eating disorder behaviors and urges are often a result of how emotions manifest in one's physical body.
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Contributor, Regina Colie (she/her).
Regina Colie is currently pursuing her Masters in General Psychology at The New School For Social Research. She is interested in working with women who have eating disorders and postpartum depression. Upon her graduation from 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. Her previous work has been featured in Project HEAL, BALANCE, Olive Branch Nutrition, and Nourishing NY.
References
Young, A. (2021, October 26). 11 Ways to Face Eating Disorder Fears This Halloween. EverydayHealth.com. Retrieved September 11, 2022, from https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/ways-to-face-eating-disorder-fears-this-halloween/
Ranch, M. (2020, January 31). For Some Women with Eating Disorders, Halloween is No Treat. The Meadows Ranch. Retrieved September 12, 2022, from https://www.meadowsranch.com/for-some-women-with-eating-disorders-halloween-is-no-treat/
Contributor, D. (2021, May 28). Trigger-or-Treat: Halloween in Recovery. Center for Discovery. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from https://centerfordiscovery.com/blog/trigger-or-treat-halloween-in-recovery/