Holidays do not discriminate – we are usually faced with gatherings of family and friends that revolve around food in order to celebrate together. With Memorial Day around the corner, you may be experiencing the same anxieties and struggles with social eating. I want to offer you a few tips in order to navigate the day so you’re worry doesn’t have to be about food:
- Focus on the meaning of behind the holiday. Take time to reflect and enjoy relationships with loved ones. Feeling gratitude for blessings can help relieve your anxiety.
- Allow for support. Talk with loved ones about how they can support you with addictive behaviors, negative thoughts, or difficult emotions.
- Be open to accountability. Ask a loved one to help you with “reality checks”. A good way is for them to either plate your food for you or to give you a check on you food portions.
- Be flexible in your thoughts. Try not to be judgmental about your feelings—be reasonable in your expectations of yourself and others.
- Take care of yourself. Take time for yourself and take time to enjoy the people around you.
- Remember that food is nourishment.
- Plan ahead. Don’t skip meals beforehand to “save up”. Think about how you will handle typical food challenges.
**Adapted from Surviving Holiday Meals
Cara Engle, LAPC
cengle@growcounseling. com