COVID eating disorder recovery; why now is the time to focus on recovery

covid eating disorder times

COVID Eating Disorder Recovery

 

 

Maybe you’re rolling your eyes. Corona eating disorder environment – good time to recover? Yeah, right.

 

 

Food scarcity, no normal outlets to process feelings or cope, no in-person support, feeling more alone than ever, job uncertainty, school on hold, etc.

 

 

Yes, really.

 

 

Now is the best time to recover. For several reasons.

 

1) FREE or low-cost support is more available than ever.

 

 

I’ve never seen so many virtual support groups.

 

 

I’m leading a group each week and it’s been the most engaged group I’ve ever led (and I’ve facilitated a in-person support group for the past five years.)

 

 

If you haven’t checked it out, go here to learn more. There are other free covid eating disorder groups as well! If you want another option, please email me or know that ERC, Center for Discovery and other treatment centers are offering virtual groups at this time.

 

 

2) It’s convenient.

 

 

You don’t have to lie to your employer to step out for a therapy appointment. (or was I the only one who did that?)

 

 

Nor do you have to ‘get ready’ or commute to therapy or RD appts. You just have to open your computer.

 

 

(Yes, I agree there’s a personal element missing, but can you imagine just ten years ago we wouldn’t have had Zoom or technology to even make virtual meetings happen!). COVID eating disorder environment is odd but at least we can connect.

 

 

3) You have the time.

 

 

It’s that simple. I remember in business school – between my studies, my job, my social life, it felt impossible to make time for recovery!

 

 

(Now, looking back I realize it was an excuse, but…. it still felt hard.)

 

 

But now, with school online and some of you working from home, it’s possible.

 

 

For those of you on the front lines or homeschooling your children – sheeesh – THANK YOU. And this does not apply to you. YOU will have to get even more creative on how to fit recovery in, but focus on 1 and 2 above.

 

 

thank health care workers corona eating disorder

 

4) If you can make progress in COVID eating disorder times, you will be stronger in non-covid times

 

 

I hate when I hear that Corona is an opportunity. Because it’s devastating. Navigating COVID and an eating disorder is HARD. Harder than non-corona eating disorder times.

 

 

And yet, if you can make progress in your recovery during this weird time, then I have no doubt you can make progress when you’re allowed to meet up with friends, go out for coffee, or go to class.

 

 

5) Recovery is the most important thing you’ll ever do.

 

 

If going through Corona eating disorder times has made the ED worse or has made recovery more challenging….

 

 

Then it is exactly your time to focus on recovery. To go ALL IN. If I had a nickel for the number of times I hear people say “it’s not that bad. I’m not even sure I’d call it an eating disorder…”

 

 

Actually I can’t even finish that sentence. I’m possibly turning into a 70yo man since I used an “if I had a nickel” statement. Ugh. Apologies. Back to Covid eating disorder recovery…

 

 

NOW is the time. If things have gotten harder, it means that you need more support. Ask for it!

 

 

Maybe you’re recovering at home or you’re alone or maybe you’re even home…. with your P A R E N T S. Gasp.

 

 

Point is – it is a tough environment to recover in right now. Life is triggering right now. Anxiety is high. Corona eating disorder environment is likely as hard as it gets. So DO IT now when it’s the most triggering it will be. It is the most important work you’ll ever do.

 

 

6) You can make a plan

 

 

If you do want to recover during corona eating disorder times, make a plan for yourself. Put it on paper – make it cute if that’s your thing.

 

 

You don’t neeeeed me or anyone else to make a plan. You can do that right now!

 

 

In fact, I’ve received more emails about recovery options than ever before! Many of you are asking for more COVID eating disorder support. Let’s celebrate that!

 

 

You may have heard of my digital coaching program. I typically only offer this twice per year but given the Corona eating disorder times, I’ve made it available to anyone who wants it!

 

 

If you want to join the 6-month program, hop on over to my digital coaching page. Next, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the ‘buy now’ button. Finally, after you pay, you’ll receive an email about how to access the program!

 

Covid eating disorder recovery

 

COVID19 – Free Eating Disorder Support & Resources

Support group candles

Feeling alone or need eating disorder support?

 

 

For the past couple months, I’ve been leading a virtual eating disorder support group. Whether you’ve attended the group or not, I thought maybe you’re feeling the same way and could benefit from more free eating disorder resources.

 

 

Four things I’ve noticed.

 

 

First, people are feeling very alone.

 

 

One person after another shares how isolating this time is. No one else truly gets it.

 

 

The isolating nature of COVID-19 can fuel the eating disorder. No one really knows what you’re up to – if you’re eating or not. How much you’re exercising or not.

 

 

It’s hard to know when to reach out. One on hand it feels like you should be tough like everyone else. We’re all in the same boat, right? On the other hand, you have this added element of food scarcity and secrecy around the eating disorder. When do you ask for help. When do you ask for eating disorder support?

 

 

Also, it’s tough to know WHO to reach out to during this time. Sometimes those around you – whether family or friends – say the wrong things. They might not intend to, but inevitably they say something triggering.

 

 

If that’s the case, please consider sending them this DOs and DONTs for loved ones. The title is a bit of a misnomer – but it’s basically a ‘what to say‘ and a ‘what not to say‘. I’ve found that parents and loved ones are often more receptive when the info comes from a third party.

 

 

Also, when you’re looking for support, sometimes it helps to preface conversations with: I want you to listen and love me, not give me advice.

 

 

Second, beautiful connections have been made.

 

 

There is so much “free” being offered. Free eating disorder support groups. Free yoga classes, other eating disorder resources, etc. It warms my heart.

 

 

I host our virtual support group over Zoom. It’s not easy showing up for the first time, with video ON and being vulnerable about what’s hard in this environment.

 

 

It’s not easy showing up for the first time, with video ON and being vulnerable about what’s hard in this environment.

 

 

If you haven’t seen the info yet on my donation-based virtual eating disorder support group, it’s here. Please don’t let the fact that it’s donation-based keep you from coming! Some give $1, $5, $15 & some don’t give. ALL are okay with me! To get group updates, you must add your name/email at the bottom of this page.

 

 

Also, once you’ve come to this support group at least once, you are also welcome to be part of our WhatsApp messaging group.

 

 

The purpose of the WhatsApp group is to share any wins, ask for support, share challenges, get advice or simply connect so you’re not alone. It’s basically the in-between for our weekly groups.

 

 

Third, this is a good time for books.

 

 

This has come up a few times recently on client calls and in our support group. There are LOTS of books when it comes to recovery. For me, I actually found non-recovery books to be more helpful for eating disorder support.

 

 

Some of my favs: Love Warrior and Untamed (Glennon Doyle), anything by Brene Brown (but specifically Gifts Of Imperfection, Braving the Wilderness and Power of Vulnerability), You Are A Badass, Radical Acceptance, Untethered Soul.

 

 

I’d love to hear your top books or eating disorder resources too!

 

EATING disorder support bookseating disorder support

 

Fourth, many are UPPING their recovery efforts right now.

 

 

If you have additional time from COVID 19, you might consider a more immersive approach.

 

 

If you do well on your own and are motivated but lack an action plan, you might consider the digital coaching program.

 

 

I created – Break the Behaviors over the course of a year by interviewing and studying hundreds of people who found eating disorder freedom. This digital coaching program is affordable and you do it from home over the course of six months.

 

 

Typically, I only offer it once every six months, but due to the circumstances, I’m releasing it again very soon. If this interests you, please add yourself here so you get the updates.

 

 

If you can afford to make a larger financial investment and want someone to literally hold your hand and guide you through recovery every step of the way, you might consider my one on one coaching program.

 

 

The only outcome we are focused on in this program is total freedom. That’s it. We move FAST and you have keeping you accountable 24/7. It is completely customized to YOU and we create a plan that will work for you. If this interests you, book a (free) call with me here.

 

 

Finally, I want you to know it’s okay if you want to do MORE right now or if you can hardly do the bare minimum.

 

 

It’s okay to be productive and it’s okay to do absolutely nothing. Give yourself a break either way. There’s no roadmap for this – and the only ‘right’ is what works for you. However, there is eating disorder support available to you. I’m happy to help you find the eating disorder resources you need.

 

 

I’m doing my best to meet you where you are. Please, if you’re needing something I don’t have, let me know and I can point you in the right direction.

 

 

Also, I’d love to say hello on Instagram if we haven’t already. Come say hi and let’s be ‘friends’ so we can stay connected as much as possible.