Why Can Valentine’s Day Be Challenging In Eating Disorder Recovery? 

Valentine’s Day is when individuals are still in the thick of winter and want to share love with their family members, best friends, and romantic partners. TV shows and movies add to the Valentine’s Day fanfare by providing viewers with love stories that go just beyond the screen. On such holidays, schools plan special activities for their students, friends come together to celebrate their relationships, and couples plan special meals to show their love and affection for one another.

However, for individuals who are actively engaged in eating disorder recovery, this holiday may seem less than ideal to celebrate. Triggering thoughts surrounding food and lower levels of self-esteem can bring a dark cloud over someone’s celebrations. As Jacqualen Ekern writes for Eating Disorder Hope, “Feelings of self-loathing and worthlessness can worsen around Valentine’s Day when reminders of what the ideal relationship is supposed to look like surround women” (Ekern, 2020).

What Should I Do If I’m Recovery? 

Setting boundaries is an essential first step for individuals in recovery to enjoy Valentine’s Day without feeling pressured into actively engaging in activities that make them anxious or uncomfortable. Another step is to acknowledge that this is just another holiday involving food, so individuals shouldn’t try to fit themselves into boxes or resist those urges that make them want to enjoy food again. The importance of finding that balance is vital while moving through the eating disorder recovery process.

Finally, since Valentine’s Day is about showing your loved ones that you appreciate their support and dedication, take a holiday to do just that! As Linda Gerhardt writes for Center for Discovery, “That might mean dinner out with a romantic partner, a phone call to a parent, a text message to a good friend, or a small gift and card for a child. It doesn’t have to be all about the food — we can refocus ourselves by making Valentine’s Day about strengthening relationships” (Gerhardt, 2023). Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to focus solely on what you’ll eat; it can reflect the people you have in your life and show them how much they mean to you.