One in every 10 Americans has struggled with an eating disorder at some point in their lives. Some people with eating disorders recover, while others don’t and die due to complications directly related to their disease.
So it’s important to know that eating disorders are about so much more than the food consumed but the act of eating itself. Some people with eating disorders may feel anxious about normal eating patterns. Others have anxiety disorders too.
So, what can you do? Read on below for 8 keys to recovery from an eating disorder.
1. Understanding Your Eating Disorder
Eating disorders are complex diagnoses. And the psychological component is an important factor in the disorder.
This can include feelings of worthlessness, shame, and poor body image. It can also make people experience internal struggles in maintaining emotions and stress levels. You have to understand these to face your eating disorder.
2. Communicating Your Feelings and Needs
It’s important to communicate in a non-judgmental and genuine voice to ensure that your message is effective for all parties. You can do this through journaling, talking to a trusted friend, or engaging in a therapy session.
3. Addressing Your Core Beliefs and Mindset
Observing your thoughts and questioning your beliefs can help you make healthier decisions. For example, challenging the idea that you must be thin for people to accept you can help you regain a sense of worth and strength in yourself.
4. Learning to Embrace Nutrition
To achieve a healthy relationship with food, you must learn to respect it, understand it, and regard it as a source of energy and nourishment. Basing meals around balanced nutrition is another key to recovery. This process is intuitive eating, and you can read more about intuitive eating on this link.
5. Setting Structured Goals for Recovery
It is important to set realistic and achievable goals tailored to your unique situation and needs. Short-term goals can focus on mental and physical health. Mid-term goals might involve gradually increasing food intake to healthier levels. Long-term goals are intended to give purpose and direction to the recovery effort.
6. Finding Support From Others
Talking to a trusty friend or family member about your experiences can help relieve the burden of the issue. Joining a support group can help in a different way.
Coming together in a safe environment to share experiences and learn from peers can give you a chance to communicate with others.
7. Developing Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Coping mechanisms will help you to effectively identify, tolerate, and manage difficult emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. This may involve self-reflection and personal reflection on triggers, identifying and addressing underlying emotions, and using grounding techniques.
8. Building Self-Esteem and Self-Love
Positively work on framing self-talk and practice positive affirmations. Focus on accepting your uniqueness and celebrating successes. It’s also important to make time for activities that cultivate self-love and acceptance.
Taking care of yourself and nourishing your body with healthy habits is paramount to self-love. Take time for self-reflection without judgment and acknowledge how far you’ve come along the recovery journey.
Follow These 8 Keys to Recovery From an Eating Disorder
Eating disorders are serious and require determination. Recovery is possible but takes time and effort. Learning the 8 keys to recovery from an eating disorder above is crucial to improving your mental, emotional, and physical health.
So take the brave step forward today to free yourself from the burden of an eating disorder.
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