We are in the middle of the holiday season, which means that you’ve most likely endured some degree of familial stress. From the commotion of cooking large meals for the extended family to body and food-centric dinner table talk, it’s easy to see why the holidays might just be the most stressful time of the year. For those in eating disorder recovery and those who are support people, it’s essential to know what stress is and how it functions. With an understanding of the nature of stress, we can move forward compassionately and mitigate anxiety-inducing moments by utilizing positive communication skills.
What is stress?
Stress is defined as worry caused by a specific situation. Stress, while uncomfortable, is a common reaction to any change that requires a change in response. Normal stress is often mild and subsides in a short period of time. Typical stress is commonly seen in situations that are temporary—prior to a public speaking engagement, during a busy day, or after a confrontation with a friend. However, stress may become problematic when a person is confronted with numerous stressors and experiences no relief. This is often called “constant stress.” Constant stress is common in those who are overworked, overscheduled, or experiencing a life-altering event.
Any type of stress has the potential to become harmful. Those suffering from constant stress may develop anxiety, depression, or other negative symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset, headaches, and problems sleeping or staying awake. Stress is also considered harmful when it leads an individual to engage in problematic behaviors to self-soothe, including drug/alcohol use, compulsive spending, and unhealthy food-related behaviors.
Signs and symptoms of stress
Why does stress increase during the holidays?
For those with eating disorders or those who are in eating disorder recovery, holidays are frequently cited as the most challenging time of the year. This stress may be caused by the increased exposure to large amounts of food, extended periods of time with family who are unaware of the individual’s eating disorder or who are unsupportive, and an increase in body-related talk.
For those who are supporting loved ones in recovery, the holidays may be equally as stressful. Support people may be fearful that they won’t “do the holiday right,” thus exacerbating a loved one’s eating disorder. Support people may spend extra time making sure the holiday goes smoothly for their loved one and forget about their needs in the process. Support people may also feel the need to “monitor” the rest of the family to make sure no one is engaging in negative talk that may trigger their loved one. While we are so appreciative of the people that support those in recovery, we also know it can be exhausting and stressful! It’s challenging to watch someone you love struggle and you will want to do everything in your power to make their suffering stop. However, it is nearly impossible to completely eliminate someone else’s suffering and it’s important to prioritize yourself as well. Like flight attendants say, you have to put on your own oxygen mask first before helping someone else.
Ways to alleviate stress during the holidays
For those in recovery, it is possible to reduce the amount of stress felt during the holidays. Some of our favorite tips include:
For those supporting loved ones during the holidays, we know you are equally as likely to experience some degree of stress. Our favorite advice to support people is:
If you are experiencing disordered eating and searching for support, The Emily Program is here for you. You can reach our admissions team at 1-888-364-5977. If you prefer to not use the phone, you can fill out our online contact form here. We can provide you with treatment options and support that fit into your schedule. We also recommend looking into the advice given by The Emily Program community or the tips given by our guest blogger, Blythe Baird, on how to heal from an eating disorder.
Call 888-364-5977 for help now.
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