They helped put these experiences in context, and provided some genuinely useful strategies for getting through it.
If youre in E.D.
There are also a number of virtual support groups and free resources currently being offered.
Morgan Johnson
Check outthis directoryfrom the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA).
Its not unusual or uncommon to struggle with food right now.
The stress and anxiety and uncertainty of being in a pandemic can be triggering, Hartley says.
Plus, theres the simple fact that stress can wreak havoc on your appetite, Leon says.
Many people are not all that hungry right now, while others might be feeling more hungry than usual.
The current situation is the perfect storm for bringing up food issues and disordered eating behaviors, Leon says.
Let’s talk about those.
“Then when there is abundance around them, its very challenging.
Were not able to be as physically active as weve come to count on, Hollenstein says.
Here are some strategies for managing all this.
Emotional eating,stress eating, and comfort eating are incredibly common and natural human behaviors.
Thats just a really normal way of coping, Hartley saysespeciallyright now.
Food is comfort, and this is a time were all needing and looking for comfort, Leon says.
So its completely normal and reasonable and kind to ourselves to allow ourselves some comfort with some food.
Sometimes food is the best option.
Then it might be time to look at some other resources.
Here are a few suggestions.
(You might not even realize how mean it is!)
More generally, you could journal in bullet points and simple lists.
Sometimes Ill just write,I am stressed, or whatever Im feeling.
Or Ill make a list of things Im anxious about, Catalano says.
(Find more journaling ideashere.)
Sometimes people feel like they have to do it every day for it to count, Catalano says.
But its okay to use your journal only for when youre upset or stressed.
Mindfulness meditation can also be helpful in the moment if our eating behaviors are reactive, Leon says.
Say youre not physically hungry but you have a strong urge to binge.
(And then you’re able to still eat if you want to!)
To get going, download ameditation applike 10% Happier or Headspace.
Have a list of self-care acts ordistractionsyou enjoy.
Theres nothing wrong with distracting yourself using other strategies, Leon says.
(Here is a list oflow-liftsuggestions for inspiration.)
You might venture to mimic the routine you had before all this, Hartley says.
You dont need to take a lunchtime vow of silence, herejust a pause or two.
you’ve got the option to also try bookending your meal with moments of mindful eating.
But then when you get to the last bite, savor it.
The circumstances right now call for giving yourself plenty of flexibility, grace, and compassion.
I really just ask people to be kind to themselves right now, Leon says.
And Catalano advises, Give yourself permission for your eating to be really messy and chaotic right now.
The world is pretty chaotic, and its okay to just get through this no matter what youre eating.
Say you eat past the point of comfort and feel bad about it.
You have a choice whether you make it mean something or not, Catalano says.
Try your best to do what Leon is requesting all her clients to do right now.
Just take a deep breath and say, It’s okay.
Nothing terrible happened, Leon says.
Doing what you gotta do to get through this period is more than enough right now.
Catalano regularly recommendsAnti-Diet,byChristy Harrison, andThe F*ck It Diet,by Caroline Dooner.
You might also check out one of the titles onthis listof books about food and body image.
are great options at the moment.
