Maintaining Eating Disorder Recovery During Winter Break
The prospect of returning home after a stressful college semester is eagerly anticipated by many. For individuals struggling with an eating disorder, the adjustment from a college setting to a home environment can have an impact on eating disorder recovery. A variety of factors ranging from familial support, family dynamics, and treatment team accessibility can make or break a successful transition back home while in recovery.
Early January can be overwhelming for many people, especially students. Anxiety caused by the holidays may continue into the New Year for college students returning home for winter break. Instead of focusing on classes and studying, they get to sleep in their own bed, socialize with friends they have not seen in a while, watch more TV, and de-stress from the demands of college. While this may seem fun and exciting, challenges may arise for those in eating disorder recovery.
Managing Winter Break At Home
According to Mental Health America, college recess can be stressful for students who do not have a routine as they did during the semester. The lack of routine can result in an excess of free time and boredom, which can be triggering for many in recovery. Others may not have a good relationship with their family, not have close friends at home, or be concerned about finances. If students in recovery do not feel supported, they may revert to eating disorder behaviors to handle their emotions.
Although the transition from school to home can be difficult, below are a few ways college students in eating disorder recovery can manage being at home:
Set Boundaries
Before coming home, boundaries, like having time alone and avoiding certain conversation topics (like appearance, portions, calories, or exercising) should be discussed and respected. Students can also ask to do non-food related activities with family, but should not feel obligated to attend events that make them anxious.
Stay in Touch with Friends
Staying in contact with supportive friends from school or home is important when in recovery. Having a set day or time to be with someone in-person or online can be helpful as well. Ways to socialize at home during a pandemic include having a virtual game, spa, or movie night.
Meet with Your Treatment Team
It is important for students to remain in touch with their treatment team while away from college. Treatment providers near school can provide referrals closer to a student’s home or possibly offer virtual services. Many treatment centers offer virtual treatment groups & services for students to receive extra support while home.
Create a Routine
Having a consistent schedule, like waking up and going to sleep at the same time, having meals at the same time, and setting a time to bathe or shower, helps students reestablish a routine. Others may check in with a support person or journal at certain times of the day. Those in recovery should follow a meal plan created by their treatment team.
Limit Time Spent on Social Media
Many college students scroll through social media when they are bored. However, social media posts around this time of the year often focus on New Year’s resolutions relating to weight loss, and such posts can be triggering. As a result, students should be aware of the social media content they follow and how often they are on these platforms.
Plan Ahead
It may be helpful to prepare for the upcoming semester before classes resume. Students can purchase textbooks, update their resume, and read available class syllabuses.
Relax
Although having structure to stay occupied is beneficial, it is also important for students to relax. Self-care activities like journaling, beginning a new TV series, starting a new hobby, or doing anything else that is enjoyable, can be very helpful for students in recovery. Many also find reading to be calming since there is often insufficient time to read for pleasure during the semester.
Although many college students look forward to winter break, it may not be enjoyable for all of them. Those in recovery may be anxious about not having a lot to do or may worry about not having the support that they need. However, even if a support person is not physically close, communication is still very important and fairly easy these days. Students recovering from an eating disorder should stay in touch with their treatment team and supportive friends or relatives by phone or even by online video conferencing. With the right preparation, support, routine, and time to relax, those in recovery will be better able to manage their emotions and avoid eating disorder behaviors prior to the start of the spring semester.
BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, located in New York City, offers free consultation calls to help you explore next steps. We provide in-person programming seven days a week and are in-network with UnitedHealthcare (UHC), Cigna, Emblem, and Oscar, with Aetna coverage coming soon. Support is available, and recovery is possible. Schedule a free consultation call with our admissions team here and stay connected with BALANCE on Instagram here.
This post was written by BALANCE Social Media Coordinator, Amanda Nussbaum (she/her).
Amanda is a recent graduate of Ramapo College, where she majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. She enjoys being creative, writing, and editing videos, and is passionate about health, wellness, and lifestyle. In the future, Amanda hopes to work in the marketing or communications department of an organization that focuses on teenagers and young adults, and their health and self-confidence. She enjoys contributing to the BALANCE blog!
