The holiday season often brings more time for social gatherings and time off from work. The change to your routine may impact your ability to stick to a balanced diet. Yet being flexible is key to enjoying the delicious food as well as more time with family and friends.
Below are a few steps from Evolve’s dietitian, Kristie Simmons, to help you eat mindfully.
* Try to intermittently pause and do a body and setting scan.
* Check in with how you are feeling physically (hungry, full, tired, etc) and emotionally (stressed, excited, sad, etc).
* Look at what foods are available and try to honor what your mind, body, and soul need in a mindful way.
* If food choices are taking up a lot of headspace, see if you can shift your focus to what you want to get out of the holiday experience to defuse from food holding so much importance.
* Increase self-care tools such as journaling or reading recovery-related books or websites for more support. Know that you are not alone in feeling increased anxiety, but support and community are out there.
At the end of the day, try to be flexible and kind with yourself knowing this day and season are temporary.
Our dietitians are here to support you in finding freedom from disordered eating. If you’d like support in navigating the holiday season while in recovery, reach out to us today.
