THIS ARTICLE IS HERE republished from Conversation under a Creative Commons License.
Christmas can be a time of togetherness, fun and relaxation. However, it can also come with unique challenges – especially for those who may struggle with eating anxiety, weight issues, or eating disorders.
There are many reasons why the holidays can be such a arduous time for people struggling with eating problems. Holidays often can intensify feelings such as stress, anxiety, isolation and sadness.
Therefore, some people may turn to food for comfort and solace. Stuck indoors due to celebrations or due to icy weather, it can also encourage overeating and become worse eating disorders.
Another issue is that there are tons of health and diet messages throughout the year telling us what we should stick to should and should not eat. However, during the holidays, advertising and cultural messages often encourage overindulgence.
This can make people even more confused about what to eat or feel guilty if they indulge in holiday treats. In addition, there is social pressure – a reluctance to say “no” to invitations that may involve eating and drinking more often than usual.
For people struggling with eating disorders, the holiday season can feel like a minefield. Christmas celebrations often revolve around gigantic, shared meals and encouragement to indulge. This can trigger complex and sometimes painful feelingscausing some to avoid family and social gatherings.
Eating disorders often involve developing habits related to routine eating activities. For people with eating disorders, eating in public can cause anxiety and fear of judgment feeling overwhelmed by focusing on food.
The holiday season can be even more stressful for people struggling with both eating disorders and financial problems. During the holiday season, stores and advertisements tempt us with pricey, luxurious dishes.
People struggling financially may face additional pressure on spending over Christmas feeling of inadequacy and shame.
While it’s undoubtedly arduous to get moving this time of year, if you’re struggling with an eating disorder or issues related to weight and eating, there are a few strategies you can employ to get through it.
Avoid feast and famine
The fresh year often comes with pressure to give up holiday indulgences, which makes many people consider going on a weight-loss diet. However, extreme diets can be harmful to both physical and mental health.
Instead of falling into the “feast or famine” trap during the holidays, try to find ways to balance pleasure with well habits. Instead of eating a tempting dessert right after a meal, try going for a walk with your partner or family. By the time you return, the craving may have passed.