Five Tips for Getting Through Thanksgiving in Eating Disorder Recovery
Imagine the sweet smell of the sweet potato casserole as it bakes, the buttery scent of the mashed potatoes roasting in the oven, and the spicy aroma of grandma’s homemade stuffing being cooked on the stovetop. Now consider the soft clamor of family and loved ones as they share stories, and notice how you can hear the faint crackles of the fireplace in the background if you listen hard enough.
By: Tori Barkosky
For many, these imagined foods and atmosphere remind them of Thanksgiving, when people celebrate all they have and show gratitude towards one another. However, this holiday causes stress for individuals with food and body image distress.
Thanksgiving is just one of the many times when eating disorders and disordered eating are activated. Below are five tips to help you get through this holiday with less stress and more gratitude.
Set Boundaries.
Thanksgiving is surrounded by conversations around food, body, exercise, compensation, and the like. However, there are so many other topics to discuss that are more recovery-aligned. Let your family and loved ones know you are not interested in having conversations surrounding those topics. Otherwise, empower yourself to walk away or shift the discussion on the spot when these things come up. Connect over your hobbies, items you find convenient, any planned trip ideas, or other things that excite and interest you.
Put the ‘thanks’ in Thanksgiving.
Let this be a season of gratitude as best as you can. Instead of focusing on thoughts surrounding food, numbers, compensation, and your appearance, focus on your experience. Let this Thanksgiving be one you remember, not for what you ate or how you looked, but for who you spent time with and made memories with. It’s important to note that this is not an easy process. If you are struggling, it can be challenging to shift your focus. Lean on your support system and do your best.
Focus On Your Plate.
Comparison is the thief of joy. Thanksgiving is surrounded by talk of food, what people are eating, and how much. Focus on the food on your plate only. Comparing what you eat with anyone else is never helpful or supportive. Everyone’s body needs and desires different amounts and types of food. Food is meant to be enjoyed, so focus on what you want and try not to let anyone else decide that for you.
No “Right or Wrong” or “Good or Bad” Food Choices Exist.
Food has no moral compass. Nothing you eat, unless you are allergic to it, is “good” or “bad,” and there is no “right” or “wrong” thing to consume. What you decide to enjoy this Thanksgiving is up to you and does not define you. Who you are does not change depending on the foods you choose to try. Similarly, try not to let your eating disorder tell you that you have failed or done something inherently wrong by eating certain items. Food is just food, and you can enjoy it however you like.
You Do Not Need to Break All Food Rules at Once.
Eating disorders create numerous rules surrounding food and movement. So, it can become overwhelming to know where to start or which rules to challenge or break. Healing takes time; it will not happen all in one day or night. Give yourself grace this Thanksgiving, thoughtfully choose the symptoms of your eating disorder you wish to challenge, and leave the rest for a different time. Healing is not a one-way, all-or-nothing process. Honor your mind and body by taking small steps with the support of your treatment team.
Whether you choose only one of these tips or all five, give yourself grace this holiday and be kind to yourself. Consider what you are grateful for, seek support, and believe in yourself. If Thanksgiving is hard for you, do your best to manage the day, and know, like every other day, you will get through this too. Tomorrow is a new day.
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.
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 BALANCE Blog Contributor, Tori Barkosky (she/her).
Tori is currently a senior at St. Catherine University, pursuing a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Nutrition Science. Tori is passionate about all things related to intuitive eating, HAES, mental health, body respect, eating disorders, and disordered eating. She desires to become a holistic therapist or psychologist in the future and work with clients with eating disorders and help them recover and heal their broken relationship with food and body and find liberation from diet culture. Outside of classes and work, Tori enjoys yoga, being in nature, and consuming too much coffee.