7 Ways to Cope with Eating Disorders During Thanksgiving

Understanding Disordered Eating Around the Holidays

For most people, Thanksgiving ignites nostalgic warmth centered around family traditions, comforting dishes, and quality time with loved ones. However, for those struggling with eating disorders or disordered eating, the holiday can induce major stress and anxiety.

With its strong cultural emphasis on food, Thanksgiving may accentuate negative thought patterns for people with conditions like anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder (BED), or orthorexia. Luckily there are healthy coping strategies to help navigate this challenging time.

Why Holidays Can Trigger Disordered Eating

Holiday gatherings disrupt normal eating routines, which can unlock triggers like:

• Pressure around certain foods
• Guilt over desired or forbidden items
• Disapproval from family members
• Commentary about eating habits or body image

These influences may awaken the eating disorders inner voice and perpetuate symptoms of restricted intake, purging, overexercise, etc. Implementing constructive support systems is key.

7 Ways to Cope with Eating Disorders During Thanksgiving

Those struggling with eating concerns or body image issues may dread Thanksgivings arrival. But you deserve to feel happy and engaged too. With mindful planning that incorporates self-care, the holiday can remain festive alongside personal progress.

1. Clarify Menu Options in Advance

Wondering which dishes will be served? Ask the host ahead of time about ingredients, prep methods, etc so you can determine safer menu choices. Most will happily share recipes and accommodate.

2. Practice Intentional Breathing

Whenever you feel anxious, pause to take 5 deep belly breaths to stimulate the vagus nerve and shift the nervous system into rest-and-digest mode versus fight-or-flight.

3. Set Healthy Boundaries

You have every right to steer conversations away from diet-culture talk. Change subjects gracefully while kindly signaling it makes you uncomfortable discussing food or bodies so critically.

4. Find Your People

Surround yourself with a support network you trust and that respects your journey - free from judgment, criticism or direction about what you should or shouldnt eat. Their presence can make all the difference.

5. Come Prepared

Pack healthy snacks, teas or ingredients to share that nourish your mind and body amidst temptation. Having go-to items that align with your needs helps minimize stress-fueled choices.

6. Give Yourself Permission to Feel

Let emotions come without suppressing or assigning them as good or bad. Release judgment and give thanks for having a mind and body that sends you important signals about your inner landscapes needs.

7. Remember Progress Over Perfection

Expect setbacks as part of the recovery process, theyre inevitable. What matters is youre actively choosing increased self-compassion and committing to do things differently, even when tough.

Thanksgiving Support for Loved Ones with Eating Disorders

If someone you care about struggles with unhealthy relationships to exercise or food, the pressure-filled Thanksgiving atmosphere can silently distress them. Heres how to help:

Keep the Focus Off Food & Weight

Redirect conversation when it turns to discussing diets, comparing bodies, categorizing good/bad food choices, etc. Change topics to keep mood upbeat and supportive for all.

Make Activities Inclusive

From friendly games to group walks, thoughtfully adapt and include your loved one versus alienating them. Foster togetherness through lighthearted connection.

Provide Flexible Menu Options

Have balanced dishes available that offer protein, veggie sides, nutritious carbs - not just stereotypical thanksgiving fare. Variety empowers choice aligned with recovery.

Check In Compassionately

If tensions run high with family dynamics, pull them aside 1x1 to ask how you can back them up. Offer understanding through active listening rather than criticism.

When to Seek Professional Help for Disordered Eating

Occasional overeating doesnt necessarily constitute an outright binge or eating disorder. But consistent symptoms like:

• Extreme calorie restriction
• Self-induced vomiting
• Compulsive over-exercising
• Bingeing and purging
• Withdrawing from social gatherings involving food

May signal its time to pursue outside support through counseling, nutrition therapy, recovery groups, intensive treatment programs, etc. Healing is a journey - you dont have to walk it alone.

Inpatient, Partial & Outpatient Programs

Those struggling with risky behaviors like emaciation, purging, or extreme loss of control around food may require specialized inpatient/residential treatment for stabilization, refeeding, and 24/7 supervision under an integrated care team.

Partial hospitalization provides intensive stabilization for several hours a day while allowing folks to reside at home. Outpatient treatment offers weekly therapy and nutrition support on a consistent basis to manage recovery.

Group Therapy & Support Communities

Group therapy allows sharing personal challenges and wins on the recovery path with others facing similar struggles. Online communities through apps like Recovery Record also supply round-the-clock care resources.

One-on-One Therapy & Coaching

Individual counseling equips folks with motivational support, coping tactics, relapse prevention plans, cognitive restructuring techniques and tailored feedback needed to nurture a healthy mindset long-term.

Telehealth now makes specialized eating disorder therapists more accessible remotely to anyone needing expertise. You deserve support - especially during triggering seasons like the holidays. Prioritize self-care with compassionate guidance tailored to your unique path.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.