Tips for coping at Christmas
Bodywhys information on coping with an eating disorder at Christmas.
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From "Bodywhys - The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland".
- Try not to isolate yourself.
- Try and keep to your own routine around meal times, etc. if this is important to you.
- Arrange that whoever is doing the cooking knows that you need to have some control over what you eat. Try to negotiate ways of having your needs met well in advance of Christmas Day to prevent a build up of anxiety and stress.
- If you can identify a family member that you can confide in, enlist their support and work out with them specific ways of coping with the pressures of the day. The more aware they are of your needs, the more confident and willing they will be to help you.
- In advance of Christmas, let people know how you are feeling, about your fears around food. Try to ease the stress by identifying what might make things less stressful for you. This could help you to negotiate ways of having your needs met. Present your list as your coping tools so that others may engage positively to support you in using them.
- Write down your feelings if you feel scared – writing them down can help to dilute or dissipate the feeling.
- Be prepared for comments about food and plan your response. Avoid reacting defensively. Instead, respond in a way that invites others to respect your needs.(Example: “It’s important for me to be able to manage things at my own pace at the moment."/ "If I am allowed to manage things my own way, it will help me to feel less stressed").
- Try to keep things in perspective by taking a realistic view of food and drink. They are only two of the many pleasurable activities at this time of the year.
- Try to not expect too much - either of yourself or of others, or even of the Day - and you will avoid feeling disappointed.
- It is important to remember that you deserve to be happy too, so choose what you want to do as much as you can.
- Try and take time-out from the "crowd", to read quietly, to take a walk, or to listen to music. Tell people in advance that it would help you to be allowed to do this.
- However it turns out, remember that Christmas is just one day out of 365 days so don't panic.
- Give yourself the gift of acceptance - you are as you are. If you really cannot face the celebrations, explore ways of helping others, or escape within the home, if that is possible.
- Try and stay with the present, and not look back or forward, it is after all, only one day. If you are feeling overwhelmed, don’t be hard on yourself. Christmas can be overwhelming at the best of times!
If you are feeling overwhelmed, don’t be hard on yourself. Christmas can be overwhelming at the best of times!
Bodywhys is an organisation that provides information, support and advice to those with eating disorders and their families.
Contact Bodywhys on:
Helpline: 1890 200 444
Admin Tel: 01 2834963
Email support: alex@bodywhys.ie
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