It is no secret that holidays can be stressful if you are struggling with or recovering from an eating disorder. From parties to potlucks, this sort of anxiety is not exclusive to holidays. Social gatherings for sporting events can be just as tricky.
By: Alexandra Carter
American football is among the most-watched sports, with over half of Americans following their favorite team each week. The biggest football game of the season is fast approaching, and people all over the country will gather to cheer on their favorite teams (or watch the iconic commercials in between). It is common for these events to revolve around food and socializing, which can be incredibly difficult in eating disorder recovery.
So what can you do to prepare and protect your recovery at such events? Above all, make sure you are prioritizing self-care. It can be easy to feel isolated at big gatherings, but taking care of yourself can make all the difference.
Below are four ways to center self-care and navigate these festivities in recovery.
Get Support
First and foremost, support is essential to recovery. So, having a support team in place when going to a party or event is a powerful way to prioritize taking self-care, while seizing the opportunity to further your recovery process. Having support does not mean events like big football games will feel effortless, but it will ensure that you can process your experience safely and meaningfully.
Make a Plan for the Day
When attending a party or event that feels out of your comfort zone, it can be helpful to make a plan for yourself. Include different strategies or activities to help you feel safe and comfortable throughout the day, such as a text support person or a playlist to listen to ground yourself. Plan in advance to take breaks or even leave if you need to. Enlist your support team to help you lay out a plan. You can’t predict how the event will go, but having something in place can help you navigate tricky moments and manage anxiety throughout.
Set Boundaries
Unfortunately, events such as these can be a breeding ground for inappropriate food and body comments. As everyone mingles and eats together, discussions around these topics can quickly become harmful. So, setting boundaries and responding in ways that protect and support your recovery is crucial. You can outline off-limit topics to your friends and loved ones, redirect conversations (either subtly or overtly) when they are uncomfortable, or address comments directly with honest feedback. It may be helpful to list ways you want to deal with and respond to inappropriate comments and conversations. That way, in the moment, you can feel prepared and confident as you care for yourself and your recovery.
Focus On The Experience.
When you struggle with food and body distress, it can be easy to get lost in the anxiety you experience. Remember that we come together for major events to celebrate and connect. Do your best to be present in the moment. Your eating disorder is skilled at making you feel isolated; try to combat that by connecting with friends and loved ones. Being a part of the day’s experience, instead of watching from the sidelines, can help make it feel more manageable.
Remember, feeling stressed or anxious about big events like the upcoming football game is okay. If you or someone you love is struggling, events like these can be overwhelming. What matters is how you support yourself in navigating them. You deserve the care you need to pursue lasting recovery and live fully.
At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, our compassionate, highly skilled team of clinicians is trained in diagnosing and treating the spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating and body image issues. In addition to our full-time Day Treatment Program and Weeknight Intensive Outpatient Program, we offer high-quality programming, nutrition counseling with a licensed dietitian, meal support, and various other groups and resources to help those seeking help for food concerns.
Our admissions team would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs and services. Book a free consultation call with our admissions team below, or read more about our philosophy here.
This post was written by Intuitive Eating | HAES Content Creator, Alexandra Carter (she/her).
Alexandra Carter is a professional actor, turned certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and Health and Wellbeing Coach, turned Content Creator. After moving to NYC for her undergraduate degree in Musical Theater, Alexandra spent 10 years working all over the world as an actor/singer/dancer. Through her own healing journey, Alexandra found her way to the anti-diet space and went on to gain coaching and counseling certifications, in addition to starting her own coaching business. It was there she fell in love with content creation as a way of sharing ideas, genuinely connecting with people, and affecting powerful change. Alexandra is thrilled to be on the team at BALANCE, combining all her skills and passions to foster authentic healing.
References
Ekern, B. (2020, September 21). How to manage an eating disorder during Super Bowl party season. Eating Disorder Hope. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/blog/manage-eating-disorder-during-super-bowl-party-season
Mona, B. (2022, November 4). Insight on how to celebrate holidays through disordered eating recovery. Healthline. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/gift-guide-holiday-celebrations-through-disordered-eating-recovery#How-to-cope-with-an-ED-during-the-holidays
Petrova, A. (2023, January 10). The 10 most popular sports in the USA. The Sporting Blog. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://thesporting.blog/blog/the-10-most-popular-sports-in-the-us
