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Tag: stressmanagement

Holiday Survival Guide: ED Recovery

Written by nutritiousthoughtsblog on . Posted in Eating Disorder Recovery, Self Care.

Here we are again. It’s holiday time.

Regardless of what, when, where, or how you celebrate, the hustle and bustle of the season has the potential to be overwhelming and sometimes, downright scary. So how do we navigate nourishment of our bodies and our minds in the midst of the chaos?

Check out these ideas below:

  • Make a plan. Seriously. Do it. Even if you don’t think you need to. 
    • Events involving food will likely be unavoidable over the next few months. Food is a normal part of human connection and gathering and for those in recovery from an eating disorder or disordered eating, this fact may feel quite anxiety-provoking. To say it simply, this is not the time to “wing it” or “see what will happen” or “talk about it later”. Taking the time to discuss these events, the food, and the fears around it all may be the ticket to maintaining recovery efforts.
  • Give support, get support.
    • Stay in touch with your support systems, people! It is very easy to skip your usual weekly support group or neglect to call back an accountability partner when we are feeling inundated with the many pressures of the holidays (family, travel, food, celebration, obligations, and the list goes on…). The heart of the matter is that because of these very pressures, you may need more support now than you’re able to realize…and we are thinking that may also ring true for the accountability partner from which you missed a call!
  • Make space for emotion. 
    • Everyone’s relationship to this season is different, yet we are all more stressed than usual in one way or another. Recognizing the nuances of your needs and waving ‘hello’ to whatever emotions or feelings you may be experiencing is a great first step to being able to cultivate a holiday-specific self-care regimen. See our August Blog Post on more ideas for gentle self-care during high-stress times!
  • Cope effectively. 

Do you have any tried and true methods for surviving the holiday season? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below!

 

 

 

 

It’s okay to not get the massage.

Written by nutritiousthoughtsblog on . Posted in Self Care. 1 Comment on It’s okay to not get the massage.

Self care. Self care. Self care.

While reserving space and time to care for ourselves in a chaotic, pressurized world is essential, the concept of “self care” has also become idealized and even exploited in recent years. Certain forms of self care (ex. “spa days”, exercise, etc.) have been pedestalized in mainstream media, which narrows the vision of self care considerably and reduces accessibility and inclusiveness for, well…the majority of people.

There are many reasons why people may avoid caring for themselves, and we believe that feeling pressure to create a luxurious experience for oneself every time we engage in self care only adds to the mix. The purpose of this post is to let you know that it is perfectly alright to choose boring, less “shiny” forms of self care when they meet your needs more efficiently and that it is important to pay attention to what those needs actually are in the first place.

“But I have no clue what I need!”

We hear you – totally and completely.

Start here:

Taking a moment to consider how you are feeling can help you choose self care activities that will be most appropriate for bringing you back to a more balanced place. We know, we know, getting in touch with feelings is everyone’s faaavorite activity (haha, not), but doing so can tell us more about what we are truly needing.

Below are a few examples of how to tie it all together!

Example 1:

Feeling/affect: Bored, isolated, lonely

Potential need: Connection

Possible self care activities: Reach out to a friend or support person, engage with recovery-positive social media, try a group movement class, etc.

Example 2:

Feeling/affect:  Overwhelmed, over-extended, “burnt out”

Potential need: Rest

Possible self care activities: Rest (nap, go to bed early, sleep in), massage or spa treatment, cancel plans, etc.

Example 3:

Feeling/affect: Anxious, restless, unsettled

Potential need: Calm, comfort

Possible self care activities: Guided meditation, grounding/breathing technique, nature walk, etc.

For more self-care inspiration, check out the link below about “boring self care” and one of our favorite Instagram profiles: @makedaisychains 

‘Boring Self-Care’ Drawings Celebrate Everyday Mental Health Victories

*Disclaimer* Choose what feels right to you. These suggestions are in no way absolute and are not meant to replace your current self care regimen, only to enhance your mindfulness around it. You don’t have to fit any mold ever, and we want you to choose self care activities that help you feel like your best self, no matter how trendy, luxurious, involved, simple, or boring they are or are not.