The holiday season and New Year brings about many challenges, particularly for those struggling with their relationship with food and body. One of the many challenges is the inevitable bombardment of ads filled with promises on how to start the new year off “right” by going on a “diet.” The multi-billion dollar diet industry has a lot to gain ($$) by slamming you with advertisements for “quick fixes.”
As we begin 2023, you may feel pressured to set a new year’s resolution. You may have set resolutions in the past that focused on your body size. It’s okay. You know better now. You know that your weight doesn’t need to be the focus of a goal or a ‘new’ you. You don’t even have to set a new year’s resolution if you don’t want to. You are worthy just as you are.
The picture of a nostalgic, heartwarming holiday season permeates our collective idea of what the winter season ‘should’ be. But, for many people who struggle with food, body distress, and other mental health issues, it can feel more like a nightmare. The winter season can feel isolating and stressful. Changes in routine, pressure from family and friends, school and work commitments, and beyond can feel like the perfect storm of isolating anxiety.
The new year is right around the corner, and with it comes our culture’s fixation on resolutions. While new year’s resolutions aren’t explicitly bad, the overwhelming messaging behind resolutions creates pressure to change your body size, shape, eating habits, and lifestyle, emphasizing your value defined by your appearance.
One of the best parts of the holiday season is gift-giving. This season is filled with thoughtful generosity and present sharing. For many, the joy of gift exchanges is highly anticipated and planned. However, gift-giving can be challenging if you or someone you know struggles with food and body image distress. The holiday season can be incredibly stressful and triggering for those struggling, so it is vital to find gifts that relieve stress instead of amplifying it.
A support system is vital to eating disorder recovery, especially around the holidays. If someone you love is struggling with or recovering from an eating disorder, your support can make all the difference. The holiday season is a wonderful time but can be full of anxiety triggers for people who experience food and body distress.
With the holiday season in full swing, it can feel like a marathon of parties, gifts, and seasonal foods! While there are a lot of different traditions you may participate in, if you struggle with food and body distress, focusing on food during the holidays can feel incredibly difficult. But what can you do?
Traveling for the holidays can be overwhelming, especially if you experience food and body distress. One of the best ways to approach seasonal challenges is to plan ahead. Overcoming difficult experiences and situations will help you build resilience in your recovery. And, when your holiday travel plans support your recovery, you can be fully present with those in your life during this special time of year.
It’s no secret that the holiday season quickly leads into the New Year. Although you may do your best to savor this festive season, the “fresh start” of the upcoming year looms on the horizon. This usually brings with it a sense of resolution and restarting. However, that can turn sour when the “new year, new me” mindset becomes one of pressure and stress. So, now is the time to invest in authentic self-care and genuine well-being to avoid those diet culture traps.
As November flies by, the holidays are fast approaching. And while the holidays can be a wonderful time of seasonal festivities, they can be challenging for someone struggling with or recovering from an eating disorder.
