How To Keep Yourself Healthy After Recovering from an Eating Disorder
It's not over yet, even though you've completed the hardest part of your recovery from an eating disorder.Staying on track requires taking steps like sticking to a meal plan and avoiding Triggers.Most eating disorders are emotion-based, so managing your emotions will help you avoid relapsing.Getting support in the form of friends and family, support groups, and therapy can help you stay on the recovery track for a long, long time.
Step 1: Don't change your meal plan.
You may have made a meal plan to eat at certain times throughout the day.You can keep that plan even after your recovery.Make a meal plan if you haven't already done so.It's a good idea to plan ahead for when you'll be out for meals.
Step 2: There are new ways to fill your life.
When you have an eating disorder, your life is all about it.You have to figure out how to use your time.You can boost your self-esteem by choosing things that keep your mind active.Pick up a new hobby, or try socializing more.It's a great way to get out of the house.Painting or gardening is a creative hobby.It's a great way to use your time.Pick an area that interests you and volunteer in that field.Volunteer at your library if you love books.If you love people, you should volunteer at a homeless shelter.It's a good idea to avoid isolating yourself, which can perpetuate the disorder.
Step 3: Take the help of a counselor to identify your triggers.
The behaviors, feelings, situations, objects, and even people that cause you to fall back into your old way of thinking are Triggers.Identifying and listing your Triggers can help you avoid them.They'll let you know when you're most vulnerable so you can build up your reserve.A counselor can help you figure out more of the triggers, as well as give you strategies for dealing with them.There are many toxic relationships.Eating disorders are a way to deal with emotional distress.A counselor can help you cope with stress.
Step 4: There are warning signs of relapse.
During your recovery, you may return to old habits.You shouldn't beat yourself up over it.If you watch for the warning signs, you can take steps to head it off.Common warning signs of a relapse include trying to eat alone, having guilt or shame after eating, skipping meal times or events with foods, not sleeping well, increased anxiety, depression, and isolating yourself.
Step 5: The media is pro-eating disorders.
If you have books, posters, or movies that are pro-eating disorder, it's time to throw them out.If you visit pro-eating disorder websites, block them from your computer.You don't want to go up on your road to recovery.You should carefully consider the items in your home.It doesn't have to be pro-eating disorder to have a Trigger for you.You might have posters of very thin women up as inspiration.It's time to get rid of those too.
Step 6: A journal is a good place to keep a record of your thoughts and feelings.
It's a good idea to write down the events of the day in the evening.Write about what you're thinking and feeling.You can keep track of your emotions by writing in a journal.If you're headed in a downward spiral, you will be more likely to notice.
Step 7: When you think about relapsing, identify what you are feeling.
Allow yourself to feel the emotion behind it.Maybe it is anxiety, sadness, vulnerability, or loneliness.Maybe you're angry.Understanding what your emotion is the first step in dealing with it.It can take some time to get it done.You can figure out what it is by letting the emotion wash over you.
Step 8: You have to work through your emotions.
You can feel the emotion in your body.Think back to when you were younger to figure out what's causing the emotion.What have you been up to recently to make you feel better?If you can't figure out what your emotions are, try writing about them in your journal.
Step 9: Don't let your emotions affect you.
It can be difficult to be with your emotions.Take deep breaths and tell yourself you're not emotional.It is possible to distance yourself from them.Allow them to pass on.You have control over your emotions.No matter how bad you feel, they won't last forever.When you have negative emotions, meditation and yoga can help you stay focused and build up a tolerance for distress.
Step 10: Positive people will fill your life.
If you want to see yourself happy and healthy, you should only let people in your life who support your recovery.It's a good idea to avoid people who may have encouraged your eating disorder in the past.You should have at least 10 people that you can call when you need help.Negative people can make you feel bad about yourself.If you want to feel good about yourself, you should be around people who help you.
Step 11: Stay in therapy as long as you can.
Staying on track can be difficult if you don't have a therapist.They can help you avoid triggering.They can help with difficult emotions.A therapist will listen to your concerns and emotions, without being directly involved in your day-to-day life, providing a specific kind of release and advice that can be very beneficial.They can help you if you experience a relapse.They'll help you get it out of the way.
Step 12: You are not alone if you join a support group.
A support group can help you deal with emotions even if you have recovered from your illness.You will feel less alone on your journey if you share your struggles with others.Ask your doctor to refer you to a support group.You can find support groups in your area on websites.Online support groups often reinforce eating disorders and promote reassurance-seeking behavior.
Step 13: You can grocery shop with a friend or relative.
Recovering from an eating disorder can make grocery shopping difficult.A buddy can help a person pick out food on their own.It's a good idea to plan out what you want to do.If you start to feel anxious, ask the person to help you pick out food.A friend or family member will be trained by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.You can request training by going to http://www.anad.org/get-help/request-a-grocery-buddy/.
Step 14: Discuss the drugs you take to manage your eating disorder.
Depression and anxiety can lead to eating disorders.That part of your disorder can be helped by medication.Anti-anxiety and antidepressants could be options.If this is a good option for you, talk to your doctor.