Coping strategies

Coping strategies for overcoming an eating disorder

On your journey toward recovery you will undoubtedly uncover many methods that will help you overcome your eating disorder. There are several proven strategies you can adopt immediately to help you on your journey toward recovery:

• Keep a diary where you can write down your emotions each and every day. This diary should be something exclusive and person to you, where you can write down your personal thoughts and emotions. This will help you cope with any stressors or other emotions you may be feeling.

• Educate yourself as much as possible about your eating disorder.

• Consider purchasing a self-help book.

• Start to associate feelings and emotions with your activities. You can start beginning to understand what triggers might exist that lead you to any eating disordered behavior.

• Pamper yourself on occasion. Indulge yourself with some feel good therapy.

• Set aside specific time to relax and unwind during the day. Consider meditation or some form of activity that helps draw you away from stress.

• Acknowledge your condition. The road to recovery begins with acknowledgement.

• Allow yourself to say yes on occasion. People with eating disorders often become consumed with the term ‘no’ and deny themselves many things.

• Learn to appreciate your body for the way it was made, including all its small quirks and physical differences.

• Look for patterns in your behavior so you can overcome them.

• Avoid being overly critical. Look for positive things about yourself and acknowledge your individual achievements.

• Find people you can lean on for support and encouragement. Seek out professional help when necessary.

• Consider a support buddy. Find someone you can talk to or call in times of emergency or when you are feeling particularly vulnerable or down. This person can help you overcome the urge to indulge in your eating disorder, and should be someone you trust completely.

• Avoid being in situations where you are alone with food or isolated for long periods of time. Have the numbers of several people you can call if you feel alone or might need support.

• Acknowledge your emotions as they arise and learn to appreciate them for what they are. Try to avoid stifling your feelings and instead let them surface, acknowledge them and work with them rather than against them. Consider writing them down in your journal.

Take one day at a time

Eating disorders often take several years to overcome completely. Remember never be to hard on yourself, and reward yourself for small achievements every step of the way.

The best thing you can do for yourself is take things one day at a time. If you avoid overburdening yourself with too many tasks and responsibilities at once, you will reduce the chances that you will feel overwhelmed, and are more likely to succeed during the recovery phase.

Also enlist the help and assistance of loved ones whenever you can, so that you are not facing recovery alone. This small step in and of itself will help you succeed and overcome your eating disorder.