Tips on Enjoying the Holidays While In Recovery

For many individuals struggling with eating disorders and related issues, the holidays can be a very challenging time.

Camille Williams, MA, NCC, LCPC, eating disorder program coordinator at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, offers the following tips on how to stay focused on recovery and enjoy the holidays.

• Follow your meal plan and avoid restricting meals in order not to overeat at a family meal. Although this is a normalized pattern for others around the holiday, this could spiral someone back into their eating disordered behaviors. It may be helpful for one or more supportive family members to also eat meals and snacks with your loved one so they do not feel alone.
• Identify ways to create a supportive environment. Spend the holidays with compassionate individuals and those who have beliefs about food that align with your recovery values. Asking family ahead of time or redirecting conversation to be about life, travels, or gratitude, rather than food or dieting and body image or weight.
• Recognize and set limits. It is important to be flexible. Past holiday traditions don’t have to stay the same, instead think about what the holidays need to look like in recovery.
• Think ahead of time how much time you would like to stay at a holiday meal, rather than staying all day, maybe spend a couple hours? Having an “escape plan” or a way to excuse yourself. Check in with someone at the gathering, or call a supportive friend or sponsor. You also have the option to leave the gathering and go to a safe place.

Overall, the holidays can be a time to relax, take care of yourself and set boundaries for how much you would like to do.

About Timberline Knolls:

Timberline Knolls is a leading residential treatment center for women and adolescent girls, ages 12 and older, with eating disorders, substance abuse, trauma, mood and co-occurring disorders. Located in suburban Chicago, residents receive excellent clinical care from a highly trained professional staff on a picturesque 43-acre wooded campus. An adult partial hospitalization program (PHP) is also available in nearby Orland Park, Ill., for women to step down or direct admit. For more information on Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, call 877.257.9611. We are also on Facebook – Timberline Knolls, LinkedIn – Timberline Knolls and Twitter – @TimberlineToday.

For more information, please contact Mary Anne Morrow:maryanne.morrow@timberlineknolls.com.