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Managing the holidays moment by moment
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Once Halloween ends, there is scarcely time to breathe before it is time to tr.jpg)
ansition into the most stressful time of year: The Holidays.
Transitioning into the holiday season occurs rapidly. It often begins in grocery or retail stores. When scary costumes and bags of trick-or treat candy are replaced with brightly colored lights and displays of holiday gift ideas, people change their behaviors. They become more anxious, shop with more intensity, and feel they need to get everything done so that they can fully enjoy the holiday celebrations.
People with eating disorders can take comfort in knowing that nearly everyone experiences stress during the holidays. There is also hope for recovery.
Some of the stressors people experience during the holidays include:
• Fearing what you will do when you are around people, family and food.
• Having to make decisions about whether you will attend events or gatherings.
• Being anxious or overwhelmed because there is too much going on.
• Having to explain the changes in your body weight or physical appearance to friends and family.
• Anticipating feelings of isolation or sadness.
Since all of these stressors pertain to events that may or may not happen in the future, one thing you might do to reduce these stressors is to be mindful of the present moment. Give yourself time to breathe before worrying about what will happen on Thanksgiving day. Delay thinking about Christmas plans or gift buying before you've taken the time to enjoy Thanksgiving.
The more you limit your focus only to events that occur in the present moment, the more you will likely reduce the number of stressors you experience moment to moment.
Try mindfulness based stress rediction today!
You can also click on any of the links below for additional information and support to help you manage the holidays with an eating disorder.
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