Holiday Survival Kit
Debra Cooper, BA, Communications Specialist @ Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment
December 14, 2011
The Christmas holiday is meant to be a time of happiness and memory building with family and friends. However, all too often it is a season of incredible stress, especially for the 11 million people who struggle with eating disorders in our country today.
This stress is no surprise when you consider the inordinate emphasis we place on food during the holidays. Thanksgiving is all about turkey and the mandatory side dishes. Then, mere moments after the platters and gravy boats have been put away, the Christmas festivities begin with signature treats: cookies, candies and cakes. To say nothing of New Year’s parties with appetizers baked goods and plenty of alcoholic beverages.
This abundance of food can trigger a tremendous amount of anxiety for those with anorexia, bulimia or compulsive overeating. The following strategies may prove helpful during the holidays:
- Take care of yourself. Exercise, get plenty of sleep and drink a lot of water throughout the holidays. Becoming sleep deprived or run down heightens emotions and makes it more difficult to cope.
- Prepare. Prior to attending a food intensive event, make sure you have eaten a snack or small meal, and therefore, are not ravenous. Make a commitment to yourself in advance to make smart food decisions. At the buffet table, take small portions of the food you really want to eat; there is no obligation to fill your plate.
- Remember. Keep in mind that the holidays are a season, they are not a lifetime. Remember that an over-indulgence is just that - a singular event. You can return to normal eating the next day. Remember that food is meant to be enjoyed, especially during this time when special seasonal food is available.
- Say “no.” Commit today to deleting guilt from your emotional repertoire. Guilt over what you have or have not eaten serves no purpose, other than to exacerbate emotional stress.
- Focus. Remain focused on what this holiday is really about – peace, joy, and the birth of a Savior.
Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center is located on 43 beautiful acres just outside Chicago, offering a nurturing environment of recovery for women ages 12 and older struggling to overcome eating disorders, substance abuse, mood disorders, trauma and co-occurring disorders. By serving with uncompromising care, relentless compassion and an unconditional joyful spirit, we help our residents help themselves in their recovery. For more information, visit www.timberlineknolls.com or call 877.257.9611.
page last updated 12.14.11
