Happy New Year! Diet culture takes advantage of this time when individuals feel they have a fresh start and a new year to look ahead to. It is easy to get swept up in the message that you must push yourself and make changes to have a meaningful year.
Relationships with roommates can be complex and different for every individual. You could be each other’s closest confidante, hold each other at an awkward arm’s length, or begrudgingly put up with each other until your lease ends. Regardless of where you stand, when your roommate is in eating disorder recovery, this relationship can become even more complex. There are, however, things you can do to support yourself and your roommate and strengthen the relationship.
Eating disorders can look different across individuals and can look different within diagnoses. And while the stereotypical eating disorder patient is portrayed as incredibly thin, avoiding food, and over-exercising, eating disorders do not discriminate. They can take many forms. If you think a loved one is struggling, consider the signs below before considering how you might approach them or look to support them.
We only see a narrow standard of beauty represented in film and television. This limited demonstration of what people look like is harmful to everyone. However, for those living with or recovering from an eating disorder, the media can render itself a challenge. Tv and film fail to center body diversity. So, finding ways to interact with media while still honoring your mental well-being is crucial.
Recovering from an eating disorder is a complex, time-consuming process. Yet, recovery is incredibly worthwhile. Along with a treatment team, family, friends, and loved ones can significantly impact a person’s recovery.
Setting a goal and working towards it can be an empowering feeling. New Year’s resolutions have become a landmark of goal-setting for millions of people in Western culture. However, diet culture has managed to co-opt the meaning of what is meant to be personal, individualized resolutions into toxic, fear-mongering, and often fatphobic messaging.
The semester break is wrapping up, and a new course schedule of classes awaits. Exams, papers, assignments, and readings are quickly approaching, and you may feel nervous, anxious, or excited about the coming spring semester. This array of emotions may bring about eating disorder thoughts and symptoms used to cope with these changes.
Now that it is 2023, everyone has been discussing their New Year’s resolutions and the “New Year, New Me” mindset. Often, these are followed up with wishes to lose weight, be “healthier,” and sign up for some fitness regimen. The diet culture industry takes advantage of this time by advertising different diet plans and gym discounts to fuel this idea even more.
The holiday season and New Year brings about many challenges, particularly for those struggling with their relationship with food and body. One of the many challenges is the inevitable bombardment of ads filled with promises on how to start the new year off “right” by going on a “diet.” The multi-billion dollar diet industry has a lot to gain ($$) by slamming you with advertisements for “quick fixes.”
As we begin 2023, you may feel pressured to set a new year’s resolution. You may have set resolutions in the past that focused on your body size. It’s okay. You know better now. You know that your weight doesn’t need to be the focus of a goal or a ‘new’ you. You don’t even have to set a new year’s resolution if you don’t want to. You are worthy just as you are.
The beginning of January brings about the potential for inspiring resolutions and goals. But unfortunately, the new year also provides an opportunity for diet culture to influence how people view their bodies and food.
The picture of a nostalgic, heartwarming holiday season permeates our collective idea of what the winter season ‘should’ be. But, for many people who struggle with food, body distress, and other mental health issues, it can feel more like a nightmare. The winter season can feel isolating and stressful. Changes in routine, pressure from family and friends, school and work commitments, and beyond can feel like the perfect storm of isolating anxiety.
