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Tips for Recovering From an Eating Disorder

Recovering from an eating disorder is just as much psychological as it is physical. It takes time, and there may be lots of ups and downs throughout the process. However, there is always hope for a full recovery!

If you’re re-learning how to view food, fuel your body and connect with yourself, these tips for eating disorder recovery may help.

Eat a variety of foods

If you’re recovering from bulimia or anorexia, it may be tempting to restrict certain foods to avoid excessive weight gain. However, following extremely restrictive diets will only make it difficult for you to establish a new normal and develop a healthy mindset regarding your body and food. One of the best things you can do for yourself in recovery is to practice intuitive eating. That means you listen to your body and don’t ban certain foods or think of them as strictly “good” or “bad.” Instead, eat what feels right for you while focusing on a variety of healthy, whole foods.

Practice mindfulness

While you’re recovering, you’ll likely still have thoughts that are harmful to your mental health and physical recovery. Instead of just Googling things like, “how to keep myself from throwing up,” it’s important to look inward and practice mindfulness. Acknowledge your negative thoughts and feelings instead of trying to bury them. Most importantly, know that just because you recognize those feelings are there does not mean you have to attach to them. Instead, practice the feeling of letting them go and allowing them to flow away from your heart, your mind and your body. They do not have to control your behavior, and it’s up to you to determine how you respond to them.

Drink plenty of water

As you learn how to engage with your body and listen to hunger cues, hydration is crucial! It’s difficult to know when we are truly hungry if we are dehydrated, because this can send false signals that we need food. Instead, we often just need more water. Maintaining proper hydration throughout the day will help you learn how to be in tune with your body and accurately distinguish hunger and thirst cues to give your body what it needs to function at its best.

Engage with your body joyfully

Like we mentioned earlier, simply searching for solutions like “how to keep myself from throwing up” isn’t going to serve your ultimate purpose of establishing a new relationship with your body. That’s more of a bandage rather than a long-term solution. Instead, it’s critical that you learn to engage with your body joyfully and recognize how valuable your body is along with everything it can do for you. As you do things like practice yoga, get a massage or take a simple walk, it’s a good idea to try to remember that your body is a home for your soul and a vehicle for your health and your overall wellness.

Check out this website for contacting an online therapist.