5 Tips for Eating Disorder Recovery
Recovering from an eating disorder is probably one of the hardest things you’ll ever do in your life, but there is zero reason to avoid it. Whether you’re in the depths of your disorder, considering recovery, or in recovery right now, it’s important to always keep in mind how much potential and room you have to grow. In fact, if you write in a journal, you’ll be able to read back about your character development in awe and pride (like the main character you are).
One of the quotes that has helped me during my own recovery is: “You are healing so much more than yourself.” You are healing your relationships, you are healing your friends, you are healing society. You probably already know that recovery is the right thing to do, but you might be asking: “How will I get through it?” Recovery is a very long process, and it’s important to accept that from the start. Here are some tips to keep you afloat during recovery.
Practice patience from the start
Think of recovery like a bell curve. The first few months might be scary but also exciting. But after that excitement wears off, you might be left in a very uncomfortable place for a while. That time period may feel like a breaking point. It may feel like it will last forever, but trust me (and I mean TRUST ME), the curve will come back down and recovery will get much easier. Stay patient from the start. Do not project your own timeline onto your recovery. Accept that remission could take well over a year. Keep visualizing where you will be in another year or two years from now, and let that vision keep you going.
Practice acceptance
This will likely become a more natural mindset as you progress deeper into your recovery, but it is something that should be remembered at all stages. Accept that you do not know how much your body will change. Accept that you cannot set a limit on how much you will allow your body to change. Accept that you will eat a lot of food for a very long time. Accept your body and hunger regardless of what your disorder tells you. The sooner you come to terms with these things, the less likely you will relapse. The faster you will unconditionally accept yourself.
Join support communities
Whether it’s recovery forums on Reddit, blogs on Tumblr, or Youtube families, having a support system is an immense comfort. Many YouTubers, such as Kayla Rose, Rebecca Jane, and Stephanie Buttermore, have made videos about their own recovery processes. Aside from their content itself, you’ll find many people in the comments going through the same thing as you. Let it serve as a reminder that you are not alone. Communities on Reddit are better if you want to directly engage with people. You can rant, ask questions, motivate others, and celebrate milestones. Just don’t let these communities turn into echo chambers. If you find yourself asking the wrong questions or feeling drained by visiting these sites, it’s probably time to take a break and reflect on your own recovery.
Distract yourself
Binge-watch television shows, listen to lots of music, pick up painting again. Do whatever it takes to keep your mind off of triggering thoughts. There is no need to feel bad about whatever activity keeps you sane. I felt some guilt the first half-year of my recovery because I did little to nothing aside from laying down and watching TV. But as I progressed in my recovery, my body naturally found its balance and I started directing my energy towards more “productive” tasks. Homework could be a distraction. Club meetings could be a distraction. Maybe that thing you’re learning in class is actually kind of interesting. Shift your attention.
Never act on triggering thoughts
I don’t recommend going on social media or looking through old pictures. Especially in the early stages of your recovery, your mind is likely still programmed to compare yourself to others or even to your past self (this comparison does stop after effort and patience by the way!). Triggering thoughts will come. They may feel shocking, intrusive, or just confusing. The most important thing is to not act on them. If you do go on social media and see pictures, practice love as opposed to jealousy or comparison. Recognize that someone else’s beauty does not take away from your own. In fact, recognize that someone else’s beauty is just more beauty for this world! It’s wonderful!
You are so strong for recovering. Be proud of every step you take towards being the best version of yourself. No matter what state of mind you are in right now, trust that you will be much happier at the end of the road.
Author’s bio: Tulsi Patel is a student at Yale University studying Cognitive Science. At Trill, she works on marketing, content creation, and outreach. She is passionate about alleviating digital addiction and creating ethical technologies. She loves to meditate, do yoga, hug her friends, and draw pictures of eyes.
