How to minimise anxiety over Christmas when you're in anorexia recovery

Christmas can rock your schedule (which is challenging enough to stick to in ED recovery anyway), with friends and family flying in, fear foods in every cupboard and the pressure of the big day itself.

So how do you navigate this season and remain grounded? 

PLAN, PLAN, AND PLAN SOME MORE! 

The first plan is to schedule for Christmas Day and create it well in advance (now would be great)! It will help you to know what to expect as you make your way through the day. Plan to the hour if that makes it feel more manageable.

The second plan is to have a rough idea of what the weird, spacey week between Christmas and New Year will look like. Walks, games, baking and planned film nights are all lovely things to include so that you don’t feel lost.

Last plan the couple of weeks leading up to December if your schedule changes (school finishes or work calendars alter). 

I have one more golden nugget to share - a fab distraction for Christmas day is to nominate yourself to be the table decorator! Rabbit-hole Christmas table spreads, and take it upon yourself to plan it in advance, and decorate it on Christmas morning. You will feel like you've accomplished something beautiful and memorable, and it's a great way to channel those anxious thoughts into something worthwhile.

The more you can do to be in control rather than your ED taking control, the better 🙂