Coping with an eating disorder at Christmas

In the lead up to Christmas, those joining our online support groups have been talking about coping with an eating disorder at Christmas and the plans they are putting in place this year to help ease any worries and concerns. The discussions have brought up some brilliant suggestions, so we thought we would share them with you:

• Going for a walk can help to change environment – particularly if your family has got a dog – you’ll be doing them a favour at the same time!
• If you can, plan some ‘down time’ away from the hustle and bustle of the festivities – watching a particular programme during the day, or volunteering to do the washing up while everyone else settles down in front of the Christmas TV!
• Not knowing what’s going to happen when and the change to your normal routine can heighten anxiety, so try to plan as much as you can. Just knowing the schedule of the day, and what food will be on the table can help.
• Use stress balls or have something to fiddle with to help with anxiety.
• Focus on the parts of Christmas you do enjoy – decorating the house, sending cards and presents to loved ones, seeing everyone together, the Christmas songs, singing carols etc.
• Put a positive quote as your phone background and screensaver, so you’ve got something to turn to if things are hard to cope with.
• Prioritise self-care and take some time for you – use the new bath set you’ve been bought for Christmas, get stuck into a new book or research some mindfulness or meditation techniques.

And remember, over Christmas our Helpline will be open from 4pm-midnight. We'll also be running online support groups on both days.