Eating Disorders: How Can I Help Myself?



These are not an alternative to professional treatment and advice, these are just a few ways that you can help yourself when you are recovering from an eating disorder which I have found extremely useful. Recovering from an eating disorder is extremely difficult and you don’t have to do it alone.

1.       Stop Counting Calories
I know that, in a way, counting calories can be addictive and it can be so hard to stop, especially if you have been doing it for a long time and have come to learn the calorie intake of most foods but every time you go to take note of the calories in a piece of food try to push it from your brain. If you actively do this every time you eat your brain will unlearn the obsessive calorie counting routine you have developed and trust me, this is so important for your recovery.

2.       Use Social Media to Your Advantage
Unfollow all pro-mia, pro-Ana, fitspo and weight loss accounts. Replace every account that makes you feel triggered, jealous or insecure with ones that make you feel empowered and understood. Recovery is hard and you need to focus on changing your internal dialogue and your perceptions of beauty, success and happiness instead of focussing on workout tips and diet trends. There are so many amazing body positivity and pro-recovery social media accounts and they are so much better for your recovery and your mental health. Utilising them is one simple way in which you can switch your focus from self-hate to self-love.

3.       Be Held Accountable
During recovery you will want to relapse and that is totally normal, but this is also why it is important to tell someone that you are trying to recover so that they can recognise your disordered thinking and behaviour, even before you do, and hold you accountable.

4.       Take Your Vitamins
When you have an eating disorder, often your body has to recover as well as your mind. Your body has been deprived of the nutrients it needs and your digestive system has taken a few beatings too but there are ways to help. I swear these Aloe Vera colon cleanse tablets are like little pill shaped miracles, vitamin C tablets are a great natural source of energy and B-vitamins help regulate serotonin levels to elevate mood. Magnesium is also great for muscle tension, insomnia, and even, heart palpitations which can often become a problem if you have been making yourself sick. Vitamins and nutritional supplements are not substitutes for healthy food, but a supplement to restore missing nutrients and return biochemistry to a balanced state.

5.       Write
I’ve talked before about how writing can help your mental health but many people with eating disorders have found journaling in particular to be extremely beneficial in terms of their recovery. It’s a great way to take a step back and look at your thoughts and feelings with perspective and it’s also a form of distraction which is essential during recovery.

6.       Find Alternative Sources of Comfort
Allow people to comfort you when you feel bad, instead of focussing on food. Or when your mind starts obsessing over food, calories and weight utilise things that distract and comfort you like pets, music, or books. Know what makes you feel better and utilise them.


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