Navigating anorexia 365 days a year 

Mealtimes:

 

Christmas time is a difficult one as it's a period where all socialisation is centred around food. It may involve challenging foods that scare you, but equally it is more than okay if you are unable to join in on certain foods. Never forget that it is completely up to you as regards the pace in which you push yourself. Nevertheless, don't let anorexia ruin it for you. Always remember, do not feel the need to restrict in anticipation to Christmas dinner, eat as much as your heart’s desires, you will not gain weight from one day of eating, focus on your own plate, use company as distraction. And do not let your say of eating influence your diet the following day.

 

Activities:

 

Christmas is a time of rest and reflection of the year. It often involves delving into Christmas dinners. Sharing out the selection boxes. Flicking through the tv and relaxing with family. All the things that scare anorexia and therefore you. But these activities are meant to be enjoyed, so why shouldn't you? Resting will not make your weight change dramatically. Utilise playing board games and being with family and don't allow anorexia to rear its ugly head and bully you into staying away from the restful fun. Do not let your lack of activity affect your food intake. No matter how little movement your day is filled with. You deserve to eat. It is one day out of the year that you deserve to enjoy guilt free.

 

Gifts:

 

Anorexia can create a sense of vulnerability and lack of confidence around body image and as a result our choice of clothes changes. Often creating a distorted image of our bodies and therefore cause us to cover them up with baggy clothes. It can be uncomfortable for relatives to purchase clothes as gifts that you don't feel comfortable wearing. If this is something that worries you, there is nothing wrong with voicing for your gifts not to be clothing items. Anorexia often causes us to lose our confidence and self-esteem and as a result can make the gift reviving process difficult. Often having family and friends focus on you can be rather uncomfortable. But never forget that it's not their actions making you feel this way, it's anorexia. More reason to ride the wave of emotions and be thankful for your gifts.

 

Family:

 

Christmas is a time for families to come together and spend time with one another. For those with anorexia. This is an uneasy time as families often are unaware of the implications that comments can have on the individual with an eating disorder. It is a time where triggering comments can be present. It is important to remember that comments are made without the intent to harm you, or your feelings and they shouldn't be allowed to affect your day or your diet. Keep your eye on your own plate, don't pay attention to how much or how little others are eating, and remember that you’re trying to recover from a horrible illness that no family will ever fully understand. You've worked hard to get to the festive period, and you deserve to enjoy it. Family is there to support you and distract you from the awful thoughts that can arise.

 

Outfits:

 

Christmas day along with many others throughout December involves getting dressed up. There is a lot of pressure to look your best whilst socialising. Anorexia often causes body dysmorphia which makes it difficult to feel comfortable and at ease in clothing. On top of this. Food guilt is often exacerbated by bloating and a heightened sense of fullness. Often wearing tight clothing makes this challenging as the natural outline of our body temporarily changes. Your body needs food. It needs nutrition. It’s what you need to fight off awful thoughts. Bloating will pass. But anorexia will try and convince you that "you've eaten too much". This is a lie! Your body id thankful for food and needs it to keep you safe and happy. Don't feel pressure to get dressed up. You can always retire into comfier clothes after mealtimes and do whatever makes you feel most comfortable and manageable to ignore anorexia’s wants.

 

Comments:

 

Unfortunately, you can't be hidden from every conversation in this world. Comments and remarks are going to be made when conversing with others about weight, calories. Food, exercise, and the dreaded talk about new year's resolutions! Christmas often makes people reflect on the year that's been and will express the need they feel to "lose weight" and eat "better". This is not the case for you. Anorexia has taken too much of your life already. It cannot take any more weight loss. Low dietary intake and shrinking your body will not bring you happiness. And Christmas is just one occasion where you deserve to enjoy good food and ignore silly comments. No matter how many comments are made around you, remember that you’re fighting a deadly mental illness that wants to take your life. Your new year is only to be filled with food freedom. Happiness and health, there's no room for an eating disorder.

 

Reminders!

 

Christmas is a fun time, gift giving and receiving. Christmas markets. Parties, Christmas food, getting together with family and so so much more. Christmas is just one season that anorexia will want to hide you from and stop you from enjoying. But you must always be gentle with yourself and no matter what always do what's right for you. Don’t restrict up until a big meal, have a game plan for triggering comments, have safe foods in-case your emotions get the best of you, identify your support system. And above all, take deep breaths because you’re doing great, and you can do this! You’re a superstar got approaching this December with patience, determination, and resilience. Never forget Christmas should be enjoyed and will always be lived better without anorexia. Keep fighting.

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There is so much emphasis put on food around Christmas time which is especially hard when struggling with an eating disorder. The Christmas period typically consists of food, spending time with family and a loss of routine due to festivities. this can make anorexia so much harder to handle. the focus on food and drink around social occasions puts an extra strain on eating disorder sufferers. It's important to remember that Christmas comes once a year, and its purpose is to be around loved ones and reflect on the year in religious celebration.

 

• Try and take some emphasis away from food and plan activities that bring you distraction and happiness

 

• Don’t feel guilty for following a different routine over Christmas. It's completely normal and change is a part of life.

 

• You don't have to put on a brave face in front of others. If you're struggling, don't feel the need to hide it. You deserve attention and support this time of year just like the rest of the time.

 

• You are allowed to indulge on foods at Christmas and rest. Your body will not change dramatically in a few days because of this, no matter how much anorexia tells you it will

 

• It's okay to say no to some social occasions if you don't feel up to it. Don't feel added pressure due to the time of year. Your mental health comes first after all.

 

• Recognise that Christmas will never be "perfect". Feeling pressure to join in socially as well as occasions around food and drink.