11/28/2024
Thanksgiving 2024
While many are excited for a short work week and the beginning of the holiday season, for someone struggling with an eating disorder, Thanksgiving week can be one of the hardest of the entire year. For someone who restricts, the constant fear of gaining weight and guilt associated with eating can make approaching the Thanksgiving table quite terrifying. Similarly, for someone who uses food to comfort or to numb emotions, that full spread of food can feel like an inviting way to avoid dealing with family drama or uncomfortable conversations. For someone facing grief this year from losing a loved one, either overeating or undereating can be ways of numbing the sadness. If thatās not enough, you may have family members who have been influenced by diet culture and canāt resist commenting on body size, calories and carbs.
If any of this resonates with you, the best emotional protection is the spirit of this holiday: gratitude. Practicing gratitude of all of our gifts in life serves as protection against the scarcity mentality. Eating disorders are fueled by the lie that says, āYou are not enough.ā Often perfectionism teams up with the eating disorder and says, āNothing you do is ever enough.ā When stuck in this mindset, the result can be shame, resentment and depression. A dose of gratitude helps to rewire the brain and shift the focus from scarcity to abundance. Furthermore, if you believe that God is the giver of all good things- including your life, then express your gratitude through prayer. Better yet, identify a supportive person at your gathering who can help you get recentered, and coach you through the challenges. Advocate for yourself when you need to and take a break by getting some fresh air or mindful movement through a walk. You can get through this week and any hard weeks with a dose of gratitude, the proper tools and compassionate support!
