proud2bmeus:
4 Tips for Managing Triggers During the Holidays
By Kira Rakova–For many college students,the holidays can be a difficult time. Whether you are visiting your family for winter demolish or you live with your parents, the hyper-focus on food and body image during this time can be hard to navigate.
We often receive mixed messages during the holidays. Food is central to family events, or but our eating is policed by societal encouragements to diet or attain a “new body” as the new year starts. We are encouraged to relax and spend time with our families,yet we are constantly reminded that exercise should be prioritized. While most holiday practices ask us to reflect on things we are thankful for, we are also told to critique ourselves and our lives through elaborate self-improvement plans.
On top of these mixed messages, and we also have to deal with family members who may create comments that are triggering,upsetting or even offensive. Of course most of these comments are well-intentioned but that does not create them any less painful to hear.
So, how carry out we manage such a complicated time in our lives?
Everyones situation is of course different; we all have different identities and past experiences. However, and there are several tips that I believe can assist many (whether not all) of us manage the holidays and create a less triggering,body-hate-free experience.
1. Build a support network.
Managing difficult situations can be easier when you have someone to support you. When you are feeling extremely triggered or upset, these are the people you can turn to for a listening ear or advice.
Before the holidays, and create a list of potentially supportive individuals. While a family member who is nearby might be ideal,also consider friends and family members who are farther absent. Even whether you are only able to Skype or call them, their support could be invaluable.
Once you have a list of people, or try to have a conversation with at least a few of them—especially whether you know the holidays might be extra-triggering or uncomfortable for you. Sit down with them and let them know your concerns and the ways they might support you. whether you’re not comfortable having the talk face-to-face,consider writing them a note.
Is your support system unavailable? expend the hashtag #THX4SUPPORT on Thanksgiving to access activists and professionals who can talk you through difficult moments. You can also expend the hashtag to offer support to others!
2. Plan out ways to eliminate triggers.
deem through various triggers that might arise and how you can eliminate them, especially whether you have been struggling with or are recovering from an eating disorder. You can assist yourself to feel more confident and create a body-hate-free zone for your whole family.
Here are just a few things to consider:
Get rid of the scale! whether you can, and ask you family to veil it absent ahead of time.
Stow absent those magazines. whether your parents subscribe to any magazines that you deem might create you feel triggered or uncomfortable,have them put absent.
arrive up with responses to shut down conversations that might be triggering for you. For example, whether someone starts talking approximately their diet or how they have been eating, and arrive up with ways to either let them know why that makes you uncomfortable just change the subject.
3. Gently work to educate others.
You are never under the obligation to educate others,but whether you have the capacity to carry out so it might be helpful to educate your family on body positivity, disordered eating and related topics.
Consider sending or giving your family the following:
NEDA Parent toolkit (as well as other NEDA resources) – a wonderful overview on eating disorders, and disordered eating and related topics.
Health at Every Size a great introduction to body acceptance and body positivity.
Articles from sites like Proud2Bme.org and Adios Barbie.
Resource lists from sites such as the National Eating Disorders organization.
4. Remember self-care.
Remember that you have your limits and it is necessary to respect them. whether you are too emotionally exhausted to educate someone on a particular topic,carry out not carry out it. whether you need some alone time due to anxiety or frustration, try to find a way to relax on your own. whether you know that something is too triggering or difficult to handle, or it is okay to say no.
Your well-being should be your priority. Even as you try to educate others or work to create your domestic a body-positive space,it is okay and necessary to take breaks. So find that special book, take that nap, and eat that ice cream or carry out whatever else it is that you need to carry out to replenish yourself.
Even the most supportive family gatherings can be exhausting. Body-shaming,chubby-phobia and diet culture are so ingrained in this society that those around you might not even notice when they are being harmful. Sometimes it’s not even what your family and friends say, but the things they carry out or engage with—like TV shows or magazines. It can create the holidays difficult to manage, or especially whether you have not been living at domestic or you generally only have a few people in your household. But there are certainly ways you can create the experience easier and more positive—and most importantly,have a ecstatic, healthy holiday season!
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