One of the worst situations for someone with an eating disorder recovery is isolation. Eating disorders thrive on it. When you are isolate it is very easy to feel alone, sad, and like you have no one but your eating disorder to turn to. BUT THAT IS NOT TRUE. Because of the Corona Virus, many people are forced to participate in social distancing and/or quarantines. This can be very triggering for someone in Eating Disorder Recovery. Thankfully there are things you can do that will help you feel less alone and less vulnerable to eating disorder behaviors. Here are some ways you can support your eating disorder recovery while in COVID-19 quarantine.
9 WAYS TO SUPPORT EATING DISORDER RECOVERY WHILE IN QUARANTINE
1. QUARANTINE DOESN’T MEAN ISOLATE YOURSELF
Just because you have to physically be alone in your house doesn’t mean you can’t reach out virtually to your support team. Take advantage of the fact that there are so many virtual ways of connecting these days. FaceTime, skype, zoom, WhatsApp call etc. Staying connect will support your eating disorder recovery and help you feel less alone.
2. CREATE A DAILY ROUTINE
Creating a little bit of routine everyday can help give your day structure and balance. Your routine doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as every morning when you wake up you do a short meditation, have breakfast and then do some mindful and gentle yoga. This simple morning routine can help get your mind, body and soul ready for the day.
3. KEEP BUYING THE FOOD YOU NEED
People are starting to panic as more news spreads about The Corona Virus. There has been a lot of news about people hoarding toilet paper and food and that is not okay. Everyone needs those things and if you take a lot for yourself then you are taking things away from others. THAT BEING SAID. As someone who is recovering from an eating disorder it is extremely important that you have the food you need to support your eating disorder recovery in your house at all times. Continue to buy the food you need to eat three meals and three snacks a day. Don’t use the fear of looking like a hoarder as an excuse to let ED drive the show.
4. STAY PROACTIVE WITH WHAT SUPPLIES YOU NEED
This goes along with the above suggestion. Stay aware of what you are running out and what you need to make a meal and make sure you have enough. Buy a bag of rice and a bag of beans as emergency food. One bag of each is not hoarding.
5. STAY INFORMED BUT LIMIT THE TIME YOU SPEND ON SOCIAL MEDIA
If you are anything like me then watching the news is stressful and extremely anxiety provoking. This also goes for social media. There is so much more you can do besides scrolling for hours on Instagram and Facebook while participating in social distancing. Do one of those other activities when you are in quarantine and or alone.
Examples: draw, learn a new language, learn a new skill, chat with a friend, play a game, knit or learn how to knit etc.
5. JOURNAL DAILY
It may seem simple but writing down your thoughts and feelings can be very therapeutic. We are living in a historical time. Not only is it interesting to write down what you do during quarantine but journaling will give you a place to work out your emotions and you will feel less alone.
6. SET UP VIRTUAL THERAPY SESSIONS
Another way to support eating disorder recovery while being alone (social distancing) and or participating in a self-quarantine is to set up virtual therapy sessions. The Corona Pandemic has shown the world that a lot of things can be done virtually. Therapy is no different. There are so many different ways to video chat these days that virtual therapy has never been easier. Talk with your therapist and or nutritionist about setting up sessions online.
7. PRACTICE MEDITATION
Think about what you did when you were in residential. What were some of the activities that you did to help you feel less trapped and more supported? Meditation always helped me feel grounded and more calm. There are lots of apps that you can use to guide you through different meditations while you are in quarantine. My favorite is Headspace.
8. CREATE A VIRTUAL SUPPORT TEAM
Along with virtual therapy it is also important to start building a virtual support team while you are participating in socially distancing . Who are the people that you call or go see in your time of need? Reach out to those people and ask them if when you are struggling could you call them to chat. Also try setting up virtual hangout sessions with friends and family to stay connected and feel a sense of community.
9. FALL BACK TO YOUR MEAL PLAN
This isn’t for everyone but if you are truly struggling to eat while in quarantine and or not use behaviors try going back to your meal plan that you had during treatment. You don’t have to stay on it forever but your meal plan can give you some structure and take some of the pressure of food and meal time off your mind.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
In these new and challenging times it can feel overwhelming and terrifying to be alone and at home all day everyday. It is extremely important that we all participate in social distancing but if you are struggling with an eating disorder be aware of how it is impacting your recovery. Eating disorders and being alone do not go well together. For someone who is recovering from an eating disorder it can feel even more overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. There are steps you can take to support your eating disorder recovery while in quarantine. Have a plan, create a support team and stay positive. You are not alone.
PLEASE COMMENT your feelings and struggles below and I will do my best to respond as soon as possible.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder you can call the NEDA HOTLINE: 800-931-2237 or for crisis situations Text ‘NEDA’ to 741741 . You can also visit www.neda.com for online chat.
In addition, you can contact me on INSTAGRAM @bolddestinations_
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