Coping with an eating disorder during the festive period

Topics mentioned: eating problems, keeping well in winter

About: Annie-May shares her experiences of coping with an eating disorder during the festive period, and gives tips on how to cope.

Coping with an eating disorder is so hard, let alone around the festive period. I have a few tips from my experience to help cope with your eating disorder around this time.  

1. Make a plan

As it gets closer to Christmas, you may start to feel yourself spiralling. One thing that really helped me was writing down a plan for my days and filling all of my time. Doing this meant that if I felt myself starting to spiral, I could come back to my plan and look at what I was meant to be doing at that point. That way I had a distraction ready to take my mind off it.  

2. Self care is key

Okay, hear me out - I know this may sound cringey. But your priority should be yourself. Listen to your body and put yourself first! Don’t struggle and push through to please other people. If you’re struggling, stop and take time to notice how you’re feeling and then make a plan to help yourself, whether that’s talking to someone or just taking 10 minutes away from people. The earlier you can notice yourself start to spiral, the earlier you can help yourself and stop it getting worse.

3. Reach out  

Having an eating disorder around this time can feel lonely. I felt like I didn’t want to talk about it and "bring the mood down" - but please reach out. Whether that’s a trusted adult, a friend, or even a support line, letting someone know that you struggle at this time of year will really help.

Personally, I found Childline and BEAT really helpful. Childline have a one-to-one online counselling service, which is available 24/7 all year round. BEAT is a specialist eating disorder charity who have so much amazing support available on their website.  

If you’re struggling right now, just know that I've been there. I know the feeling of being all consumed by the thoughts of food. But, I promise you, you can get through this. No matter how hard things get and no matter how loud that eating disorder voice gets you WILL beat it.  

I'm in recovery myself and don't get me wrong: it's hard, and I've wanted to give up so many times. But there will be a day when you look back on where you are now and you will be so proud of how far you’ve come.   

For now, prioritise yourself, listen to your body. And if all you can do this Christmastime is get through the day, that is more than okay.