After a long and cold winter, many people are eager for spring. There is excitement over school ending, warmer weather, spending time outdoors, and the spring holidays. However, this time of year can also be stressful for individuals in eating disorder recovery. The end-of-the-year holidays tend to be associated with family, presents, and food. Other holidays, like Halloween and Valentine’s Day, may come to mind when thinking about candy-centered holidays. However, a holiday like Easter combines all of these aspects and can be problematic for those in eating disorder recovery.

Easter is a holiday that involves food, dressing up, and spending time with relatives. Easter traditions often include a large meal, holiday pastries, and Easter baskets filled with sweets and chocolates. The anticipation of Easter can be triggering and challenging for those in recovery who may struggle with food, family relationships, body image, and emotions. For example, someone with anorexia may avoid eating or may over-exercise before or after a meal, while someone with binge eating disorder may feel like they do not have self-control around food. Those with bulimia may have the urge to engage in compensatory behaviors to make up for the meal.

Those in recovery may have fears surrounding the Easter holiday.

Below are some tips and coping strategies that may help make the holiday a little less stressful:

Plan Ahead

Although Easter does not land on the same day each year, there are still ways to prepare for the holiday. Ask what food will be served, know who will be in attendance, have planned coping skills, arrange who you will sit with, or have a go-to support person. These preparations can make Easter less nerve-racking. It is important to set limits and boundaries when needed, such as avoiding certain conversations or removing yourself from uncomfortable discussions.

Wear Something Comfortable

As with other holidays, people tend to dress fancier than they normally do on Easter Sunday. Once spring arrives, many may want to wear clothes that show more skin than what they wore during the winter holidays. Your outfit can contribute to your body image, so be sure to wear something you feel comfortable and confident in.

Keep a Routine

You may feel inclined to change your eating patterns, but it is important to treat Easter like a regular day. Even with the holiday, people should follow their meal plan as created by their treatment team. However, they should also listen to their body and not deprive themselves. This can help prevent a binge and make the meal less overwhelming.

Suggest a Different Activity

Although the food at Easter may be hard to ignore entirely, there are enjoyable non-food activities to do. Some ideas include dying Easter eggs, playing a game, or doing an Easter craft. There are also Easter basket gift ideas that do not involve food, such as stuffed animals or activity books.

Focus on the People You are With

Many Easter celebrations were postponed or canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so this could be your first time seeing relatives in a while. Although this in itself may be challenging, try to focus on having meaningful conversations and catching up rather than on the food.