Thanksgiving will be celebrated in the U.S. this year on November 28th. This holiday represents an opportunity to give thanks and enjoy a bountiful meal and celebration with others. While it is often enjoyable, the traditional Thanksgiving feast can create a dilemma for those with eating issues. If you struggle with emotional eating, overeating, bulimia or body image concerns, the prospect of facing a large holiday meal may trigger the following responses:
- Pre-holiday concerns: You may find yourself thinking about how to avoid food before during or after the holiday. In extreme cases, this turns to dread, sleeplessness or even panic attacks.
- Holiday gathering pressure: For some people it is often challenging to appear happy in front of your friends and family. This is magnified if you are conflicted over what is being served and how much you will eat. People with body image -concerns are sometimes preoccupied with how they appear to others and what others are saying or thinking about you.
- Post-Thanksgiving Day shame: No matter what you ate on Thanksgiving, the next day, your mind may tell you that you did something wrong, triggering you to fast or binge to make the feelings go away.
You may not be able to avoid negative thoughts. However, we know certain things can help you enjoy the holiday with less concern about emotional eating. There are many healthy food options at a traditional thanksgiving feast. The more people deprive themselves, they more likely they are to binge. It is often wiser, if you able, to partake in certain “forbidden” rather than risk overeating later from feeling deprived.
Reach out to your support system. If you have a therapist talk with them before or after Thanksgiving. They will assist you to stay centered. Show gratitude. If thoughts about food are holding you hostage, turn the tables and remember reasons to be thankful. It can help if you make a list of the things for which you are grateful. When you feel overwhelmed by guilt or obsessive thoughts, remembering your blessing can decrease the tension. Tell others what you are thankful for and show gratitude toward them.
Our Manhattan and Highland Park Disorder Therapist Offers Strategies for Overcoming Eating Problems during Thanksgiving and Throughout the Year
You do not have to let eating and body image problems overshadow your Thanksgiving celebration. Joanne Gerr, L.C.S.W. can help you help you overcome emotional eating, overeating, bulimia and body image struggles. To arrange a confidential consultation with our New Jersey and Manhattan eating disorder therapist, call 212-750-8130 or 732-247-5112 today. You can also fill out an online form. With offices in Highland Park, New Jersey and Manhattan, New York, Joanne Gerr helps clients throughout New York and New Jersey, including East Brunswick, Manalapan, Marlboro, and Westfield.