The Holiday Season + ED

The holidays are hard and can be even harder with an Eating Disorder. Thinking you’re being dramatic? Here. Let me list SOME of the things that can overwhelm you beyond belief.

  • Changes in travel and routine

  • Increased exposure to fear foods

  • Grief

  • Financial stress

  • Mismatched expectations vs reality

  • Sensory overload

  • Family comments

  • New Years resolution #ads and diets

That’s just some of them. If you read those and are thinking “yeah most of these apply to me” you’re not alone.

Increased Exposure To Fear Foods

Thanksgiving is a time where food is most accessible. It’s not like we walk past a table of baked goods or eat a feast for a dinner every day. Most people have a fear of sweets and carbs and the holiday season exposes us to both… and often.

This is the time of year where we see dieting start to occur. Starting on our “New Year Body” and unable to enjoy the food and company around us. Restriction occurs and binging in private can often be the result. It’s important to remember that you cannot gain 10 lbs in a night, or even 2 nights. It’s okay to eat what you’re craving. The only way for a craving to go away is to fulfill it.

If you need someone to tell you it’s okay to overeat or consume a fear food… I am here to tell you it’s OKAY. Take a deep breath and come back into yourself. Your stomach will digest this food like normal, it knows exactly what to do.

Family Comments During The Holidays

This is one of the most common topics in ED therapy right before the holidays. Sometimes the most judgmental people in your life can be your family members. During the holidays there are weight comments thrown around, hyper focusing on caloric intake, and passive aggressive competitions on who can eat the healthiest. It’s exhausting.

Handling Hurtful Comments:

Your body. Your business. Let’s start with that. Not even your significant others, parents, siblings, or grandmothers should have a say on what you eat or look like. If you're receiving comments about your weight or how much you're eating, remember this: Those who make comments are insecure about themselves in some way and they need to place it onto someone else to make themselves feel better. Hear the comment, feel the emotions that it brings, and move on. You are allowed to disagree with your family and you are allowed to distance yourself from them if you need. What they say is not always right.

What To Do After You Binged or Over Ate

Again, take a breath. This isn’t uncommon, you are not crazy, gross, or disgusting. You are human. Here is a quick list of things to do:

  • Change into comfier clothing

  • Lay down and stretch out (sitting doesn’t help!)

  • Go on a short walk

  • Distract yourself with a game, conversation, or something you enjoy

  • Drink tea (or something warm!)

  • Use a heating pad

  • Take a shower/bath

Sometimes we forget how hard the holidays actually are. Maybe a family member recently passed or we can’t afford what we truly want to buy. It’s okay to feel sad or anxious during this time. You don’t need to put on a fake face to make it through. Remember to reach out to someone that you trust when you’re feeling low. Those who love you will always make time and you are not a burden.


Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

M+J AwayComment