Blog

Some people seem to have just been born with a natural confidence, while others struggle their whole lives just to develop a healthy level of self-esteem. Most of us fall into the latter category unfortunately, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can do to improve ourselves in that area. Getting into the habit of following a few basic practices can make a huge difference in how we feel about ourselves.

I found a good story on Huffington Post. . .The author is Therese Borchard who wrote "Beyond Blue" and "The Pocket Therapist" (don't feel bad -- I never heard of her either)-- But she's an articulate writer who's survived anorexia, learned to manage clinical depression and anxiety, and gone on to be a voice in the wilderness of those in the journey of recovery.*

As we move through the normal ups and downs of our lives, it’s important to have others to share our experiences with and rely on. Many women count on their female friends to be there to share their happiness with, and their sadness as well. Helping your friends and supporting them through rough times enhances your own sense of worth and well-being, as well as theirs.

In a culture like ours where food is fast, convenient, and plentiful it’s easy to lose touch with why we need to eat in the first place, and with what foods provide the nutrition our bodies need. So many people are suffering from compulsive eating, overeating, and other disorders because they have learned to rely on food as a way to deal with difficult emotions. When we get back in touch with our bodies and natural intuition, we can begin to have a healthy relationship with our food.

As we get older, our lives become increasingly hectic. Everyday, we wake up with certain goals in minds and specific tasks we need to get done. Our days are spent on work, family and school priorities with little time left over for much else. Many adults seldom practice the hobbies they once loved or see their friends less and less frequently. This is quite common nowadays but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to change it.

Helping others helps ourselves.

Eating Disorder Recovery

After recovering from a cancer that doctors thought he would not survive, Lance Armstrong said; “I take nothing for granted. I now have only good days or great days.” As you recover from an eating disorder, you’re going to have great days and days -- on the way to great. Concentrate on the great days. Acknowledge your accomplishments, allow yourself to see that there are no mistakes, just opportunities to try again, and continue moving towards “great.”

“Nobody Can make you feel inferior without your consent”

- Eleanor Roosevelt.

We develop patterns of behavior early in life. We start associating certain events with certain behaviors. One such pattern is our behavior  with food. Being fed by our parents when we were young may come to represent being cared for or being loved. On the other hand, not being fed when we were hungry may have produced a deep insecurity about whether there would be enough food in the future.

The road to eating disorder recovery is a long-term, even a life-term journey. There will be many paths that intersect, signs advising you to stop or to use caution or reminding you to go “one way”.