Navigating Easter in Eating Disorder Recovery
Holidays can be a stressful time for everyone, with traveling, visiting relatives, buying gifts, and adjusting to changes in your daily routine. Holidays like Easter can be especially challenging for individuals with eating disorders. Being mindful of potential triggers and preparing yourself with healthy coping mechanisms can set you up for a positive, enjoyable Easter weekend.
by: Amanda Nussbaum
After a long and cold winter, many people are eager for spring. There is excitement over school ending, warmer weather, spending time outdoors, and the spring holidays. However, this time of year can also be stressful for individuals in eating disorder recovery. The end-of-the-year holidays tend to be associated with family, presents, and food. Other holidays, like Halloween and Valentine’s Day, may come to mind when thinking about candy-centered holidays. However, a holiday like Easter combines all of these aspects and can be problematic for those in eating disorder recovery.
Easter is a holiday that involves food, dressing up, and spending time with relatives. Easter traditions often include a large meal, holiday pastries, and Easter baskets filled with sweets and chocolates. The anticipation of Easter can be triggering and challenging for those in recovery who may struggle with food, family relationships, body image, and emotions. For example, someone with anorexia may avoid eating or may over-exercise before or after a meal, while someone with binge eating disorder may feel like they do not have self-control around food. Those with bulimia may have the urge to engage in compensatory behaviors to make up for the meal.
Those in recovery may have fears surrounding the Easter holiday. Below are some tips and coping strategies that may help make the holiday a little less stressful:
Plan Ahead:
Although Easter does not land on the same day each year, there are still ways to prepare for the holiday. Ask what food will be served, know who will be in attendance, have planned coping skills, arrange who you will sit with, or have a go-to support person. These preparations can make Easter less nerve-racking. It is important to set limits and boundaries when needed, such as avoiding certain conversations or removing yourself from uncomfortable discussions.
Wear Something Comfortable:
As with other holidays, people tend to dress fancier than they normally do on Easter Sunday. Once spring arrives, many may want to wear clothes that show more skin than what they wore during the winter holidays. Your outfit can contribute to your body image, so be sure to wear something you feel comfortable and confident in.
Keep a Routine:
You may feel inclined to change your eating patterns, but it is important to treat Easter like a regular day. Even with the holiday, people should follow their meal plan as created by their treatment team. However, they should also listen to their body and not deprive themselves. This can help prevent a binge and make the meal less overwhelming.
Suggest a Different Activity:
Although the food at Easter may be hard to ignore entirely, there are enjoyable non-food activities to do. Some ideas include dying Easter eggs, playing a game, or doing an Easter craft. There are also Easter basket gift ideas that do not involve food, such as stuffed animals or activity books.
Focus on the People You are With:
Many Easter celebrations were postponed or canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so this could be your first time seeing relatives in a while. Although this in itself may be challenging, try to focus on having meaningful conversations and catching up rather than on the food.
Take Time for Yourself:
Just because it is a holiday weekend does not mean you should not make time for yourself. Make sure you set some time aside for self-care during the Easter weekend. Consider getting more sleep, spending time alone, journaling, relaxing outside, or talking with a friend.
All holidays, no matter when they take place, can bring up all kinds of feelings and emotions. Easter is no exception and the anticipation of its arrival can be stressful. However, it is important to remember that while there is often an emphasis on food during Easter, the holidays are about so much more than just food. Focus your energy on spending time with loved ones, expressing gratitude, and honoring your needs. With the right preparation, a strong support system, and self-care, those struggling with eating disorders will be able to better manage their emotions during Easter weekend without engaging in eating disorder behaviors.
At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, we treat the spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating behaviors and body image issues. We offer nutrition counseling with a licensed dietitian, meal support, a Food & Mood Group, and a variety of other groups to help those seeking help for food concerns. Click the button below to learn more about our virtual programs and services.
This post was written by BALANCE Marketing Assistant, Amanda Nussbaum.
Amanda is a recent graduate of Ramapo College, where she majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. She enjoys being creative, writing, and editing videos, and is passionate about health, wellness, and lifestyle. Throughout college, Amanda volunteered with the Girls on the Run organization, which helps young girls develop a positive self-esteem. She also mentored a young girl through Ramapo College’s chapter of Big Brother, Big Sister. Amanda’s involvement in these organizations helped her realize that she wants to work for a company that has an impact on others, while still being creative with marketing. In the future, Amanda hopes to work in the marketing or communications department of an organization that focuses on teenagers and young adults, and their health and self-confidence. She enjoys contributing to the BALANCE blog!