We need nutrition to maintain our body’s health. We do this by eating food, drinking water or liquids, and taking vitamins or supplements. Eating is also connected to self-satisfaction, like craving sweets or coffee. It is also a way to de-stress and find temporary relief.
However, overeating or eating less could lead to eating disorders. It’s hardly noticeable, but it could cause a significant toll on one’s physical and mental well-being. If you or you know someone who might have an eating disorder, it’s highly recommended to seek an eating disorders rehab center before the situation goes out of hand.
On a positive note, we’ll share five ways on how you can protect yourself from eating disorders.
1.Be knowledgeable about other eating disorders.
Learn everything you can about eating disorders such as binge eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, and others. Proper awareness will assist you in avoiding prejudicial or incorrect views around food, weight, body form, and eating disorders. This will also educate you on the indicators of prospective eating disorders so that you can recognize the issue and treat it right away.
2.There is no good and bad food.
No foods should be categorized as good and safe or bad and dangerous. It’s essential to remember that we all need to consume a well-balanced diet. You’ll know if your diet is healthy if there are foods like produce, lean meats, low-fat dairy, nuts, and legumes, but it should also allow for the occasional indulgence in other foods in balance.
3.Avoid judging others and comparing yourself.
Avoid evaluating yourself and others based on their physical weight or shape. Shut off all the thoughts in your head that tell you a person’s weight is a reflection of their character, personality, or worth. This is another instance in which therapy can be beneficial.
4.Don’t be discouraged by the stereotype “fit” body you see in the media.
Develop a critical eye for the media’s messages regarding body image and self-esteem. While there has been significant progress in recent years to include more diverse body types in cinema, television, advertisements, and other forms of media, there is still a concern with thinness. Don’t take the images you see as the ideals you should strive forward.
Laugh at the television when you hear a comment or see a picture that pushes thinness at any cost. Rip out any magazine advertisements or articles that make you feel horrible about your body shape or size and send them to the editor. You can strengthen your grounds about this issue by supporting businesses, television shows, and recording artists who promote body positivity for people of all shapes and sizes, among other things.
5.Don’t overthink the opinions of others.
Always side with yourself and value your ambitions, achievements, skills, and personality. Allowing your feelings about your body weight and form to dictate the course of your day is not a good idea. Embrace the natural diversity of human bodies by celebrating your body’s unique shape and size. Focus on what your body can achieve rather than how it looks when you think about it. Be grateful for your body’s ability to dance, clean, go upstairs, give birth, and so much more.
If you believe that somebody has an eating disorder, voice your concerns directly and carefully. Motivate the person to seek expert assistance slightly but strongly. Don’t allow an eating disorder to dictate your life any longer and ruin your relationships. Call a rehabilitation facility for food disorders and learn how your residential treatment will help you regain control over your life.