Living Without An Eating Disorder Breathing Down Your Neck

February 1, 2019

An eating disorder isn’t like most other physical conditions. Rather than something that can simply be cured, it’s something that has to be constantly battled. However, simply using the power of your will to resist it may not be the most effective method. Here, we’re going to look at steps you can take and methods you can implement in daily life to make sure it’s not constantly on your mind.
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Self-esteem is at the core
Eating disorders are usually (but not always) about body and self-image at the core. We tend to make that self-image the cornerstone of our self-esteem, which means any little criticism of ourselves can be blown out of proportion by our own skewed perspective. Life coaching apps take a direct approach to exercises that can help you improve your self-esteem over time by learning to recognize your worth and that it’s not something that’s linked only to how you feel about your self-image.
Building better eating habits
Of course, eating disorders are about our relationship with food, as well. Having a bad relationship with food is often par for the course, with excess often followed by a purge. However, a diet for eating disorder recovery not only learn how to incorporate more nutritious foods but also addresses some of the bad eating habits that may contribute to feelings of guilt or self-loathing. Meal-planning, a degree of flexibility, and nutrition education can make a huge difference in how we see, prepare, and eat food so that we don’t have quite as toxic a relationship with it.
Don’t let the mind wander
That half-an-hour to an hour after eating can be some of the most arduous times for someone battling an eating disorder. This can be when the urge to purge is at its strongest. Keeping busy after meal times can help you distract your mind from old habits, as well as making it impractical to fall into them. In the long-term, learning how to practice mindfulness can help you recognize the mental journey you take that lead to those feelings of guilt or the instinctual urge. By identifying the pathways your brain takes, you can also learn to stop it from influencing your actions too much.
Focusing your efforts
In both keeping you busy and helping your self-esteem, there are few things as valuable as learning a new skill or putting your energy into new efforts. Learning something new can help take your mind away from your eating disorder while helping you feel the mental boost of achieving something you might not have believed you could. While many hobbies and goals can fall into this definition, creating a healthier lifestyle by getting more active is one of the most positive with the most benefits.

Fighting an eating disorder is a matter of mind over matter, but that doesn’t mean it all takes place inside your head. Putting in place the habits that help you beat it and making healthy lifestyle changes can help you say goodbye to it for good.

*If you are struggling with an eating disorder and need help- please reach out to a professional who can help walk with you through the journey. You are not alone!*

*contributed post*

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