Two key tools to stop eating disorder thoughts
I hope you’re reading this with five hair ties around your wrist! Last week I wrote about the hair tie trick to stop eating disorder thoughts and how emotional and mental fitness are the most important in eating disorder recovery. This week I want to offer an additional two keys to stop eating disorder thoughts.
What makes us suffer is our thoughts. Our thoughts make us or break us.
What are the two other key tools that I used regularly during my recovery to crush the eating disorder and find a life of freedom?
Key 1 – WHITEBOARD IT
Make a weekly plan for your emotional fitness just like you would for a meal plan. Then, put it on a whiteboard that will you see every damn day.
Nothing happens without a plan. Every Sunday evening, write out a plan for the week. Focus on what you DO want versus what you DON’T want. Sometimes it’s tricky to shift a “don’t” into a “do”.
Do include actionable ways to feed your mind something good every damn day.
Write down 2 – 3 achievable goals (preferably on white board where you see it everyday). Make each goal measurable and realistic. Start small.
Remember, you are focusing on eating disorder thoughts. Resist the temptation to make the goals anything but thought related.
Example:
Monday: between 2-3pm: research a podcast, audiobook and book I want to read/listen to.
Tuesday: listen to the audio book for 10 minutes
Wednesday: read, for 15 minutes, a non-ED book that is good for the mind and soul
Thursday: listen to the audio book for 10 minutes
Friday: before bed, read the book for 15 minutes
Key 2 – SERVE OTHERS
Do something for others. This seems simple. It’s not. To receive love, we have to first give love. Even to receive love from ourselves!
When we take ourselves and our issues out of the center, we shift our focus and as a result, our thoughts. This is a big deal!
There is scientific evidence that committing acts of kindness and serving others has a direct effect on our own self-regard.
Serving others can be as simple as sending out cards to people – former teachers, friends, family. Or you can get involved in your community, volunteering your time.
I recommend just taking the step of making a plan. No acting, just make a list of a few ways you could give to others. Then whiteboard it or dedicate a time to make some calls or get the supplies you need.
Celebrate each step in this journey. It’s not the end result that’s important – it’s your journey and who you become along the way.