Spreading kindness during this period in time is such a beautiful thing to do not only for those you are offering kindness to but also for your own wellbeing.

Everyone who is suffering with an eating disorder or any mental health issues should not be afraid to ask for help and get support.

Self-care is a broad term that could mean anything from eating well to hypnosis, exercising to getting a haircut, watching your favourite film at the end of a long day with a foot bath to seeing a therapist. The list goes on and on.

With the current advice to stay at home, the additional anxiety and uncertainty for the future and disruption of usual routine, it is not surprising that eating disorder symptoms can feel more overbearing than usual.

I wanted to dedicate a few minutes to give my advice, on what I am doing and would do to decrease the likelihood of relapse, increased anxieties and pressure.

These are hugely uncertain times we live in right now. It is hard to make sense of all the information in the media and to take measures to protect our own mental health.

Take on The Big Jump together to help end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders.

At Beat, there has never been any place for judgement nor lack of understanding, which has made each one of my volunteering shifts feel sincerely appreciated, acknowledged and, in a nutshell, special!

I imagine my journey as a Beat volunteer started similarly to many of my colleagues – having the difficult and unfortunate experience of encountering an eating disorder up close, in my case from a carer's perspective.

I have been a digital volunteer for Beat for just over six months now and I can honestly say it is one of the most amazing things that I have ever done.

I want to say that my disordered eating habits crept up on me, but I remember giving this side of my disorder great thought and careful consideration. It was my disordered thinking that weaved its way into my mind and took hold.

As an individual who often struggles to verbalise disordered thoughts, attempting to engage in therapy and meaningful conversations is something I find hugely challenging. I

I wanted to fundraise for Beat because I suffer from anorexia nervosa. I reached crisis last year when I was hospitalised for six months, but that should never have happened.

I can say now with confidence that the government’s obesity strategy is not going to work.

We talked to our Helpline Manager, Sam, about some of the common questions her team gets around this time of year, and her insights and tips for dealing with the challenges of Christmas.

We're delighted to feature a guest post by Eva Musby, author of Anorexia and other Eating Disorders: how to help your child eat well and be well, about our campaign to introduce waiting times standards in Scotland to match those laid out for young people in England.

In the past I’ve wanted to hide the eating disorders that are part of my history, but I want to shout from the rooftops: I'm proud of how far I had come!

I was born as a Muslim, but never knew anything about it. At a time when I was searching for answers to the purpose of my life, I found all the answers.

When I became a parent, my eating disorder didn’t magically disappear. When she was a baby and I was home alone with her, there was no one to check up on me, no one to HAVE to eat in front of.

University – a time full of new experiences, new friends, new skills and also new challenges. My first year at university ended up being the most challenging and unpredictable year of my life.