Navigating Food Anxiety During The New Year
The beginning of the New Year is a time for joy, connection, and celebration, often filled with parties and celebrations involving food. Yet, individuals in eating disorder recovery may find it especially challenging to navigate. With the right approach, support, and preparation, it is possible to manage nerves and overwhelm at the beginning of the new year.
By: Julianna Frank
Here are a few tips to help ease food-related anxieties as you begin 2024.
Be Kind to Yourself
Be proud of yourself for being on a recovery journey, and give yourself grace as you navigate it. The New Year’s environmental stressors (such as family, friends, and their food and body-related resolutions) can stir up negative cognitions and eating disorder-related behaviors. Remember to tune into your thoughts and feelings within your body and try to recognize if you are engaging in negative self-talk.
Challenge Negative Self-Talk and Practice Mindfulness
Challenge negative thoughts and take a moment to yourself to practice mindfulness if you are feeling overwhelmed. Remove yourself from overwhelming or triggering situations, and find a quiet place to reset. Deep breathing and using your five senses to identify something you can see, smell, hear, taste, and feel can help bring your body back to the present moment and ease negative cognitions.
Communicate Your Boundaries
Set healthy boundaries for yourself among family and friends to avoid triggers and minimize distress. For example, ask your loved ones to avoid negative diet culture rhetoric if this topic is often discussed during gatherings. Do what is best for your recovery.
Engage in Activities that You Enjoy
Prioritize rest and practice self-care. Engage in activities that bring you joy, such as reading, spending time with a pet, being outside, watching your favorite movie, or playing a game with family and friends.
The start of a New Year can bring challenges for individuals in eating disorder recovery. , With support and preparation, managing body and food-related anxieties is possible. Practice self-compassion, challenge negative self-talk, and use mindfulness techniques to stay grounded. Communicate boundaries with loved ones and prioritize self-care through joyful activities. Remember, your well-being matters, and you have the strength to make choices that support your recovery journey.
You deserve to experience full eating disorder recovery and peace around food and your body. BALANCE’s 12-Day Winter Intensive is designed to equip you with the tools to begin your recovery journey. Get started on reducing your eating disorder thoughts and begin feeling in alignment with your authentic self in the new year. Don’t miss this opportunity - this program closes on January 10th (or when spots are filled). Learn more about our limited-time Winter Break 12-Day Intensive here.
Our admissions team would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs and services. Book a free consultation call below, or read more about our philosophy here.
This post was written by BALANCE Admissions Intern Julianna Frank (she/her).
Julianna is a Clinical Social Work Intern at BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™ and a second-year graduate student at the NYU Silver School of Social Work. Julianna is passionate about de-stigmatizing eating disorders and intuitive eating practice, which was sparked by her recovery journey. She is interested in somatic therapy and how our bodies are affected by trauma. In her free time, Julianna loves to read on the beach in the summer, go on walks with friends, watch movies on rainy days, and travel to new places.
Reference
House, Shelby, et al. “5 Ways to Manage Eating Disorder Triggers Outside the Treatment Center.” EverydayHealth.Com, www.everydayhealth.com/eating-disorders/ways-to-manage-eating-disorder-triggers-outside-the-treatment-center/. Accessed 5 Jan. 2024.