By: Gabrielle A. Morreale M.A. LPC C-DBT.
As we have talked about in our last blog navigating the holiday season during recovery comes with many challenges. One tool to help us navigate the holidays is boundaries. Boundaries are a tool that helps us create authentic meaningful relationships that align with our values. They often keep both parties involved feeling safe and secure when set and received in a curative manner.
At Recovered and Restored, we know firsthand that embarking on the courageous journey of eating disorder recovery involves navigating a path unique path to healing. One integral component of this transformative process is the establishment of healthy boundaries. This time of year especially boundaries can be pivotal in maintaining recovery and helping us enjoy the season.
In this blog, we will delve into the importance of setting and maintaining boundaries in eating disorder recovery, as well as tips for how to put them in place with others, and share some glimmers of hope this season can bring.
Understanding the Dynamics of Boundaries in Eating Disorder Recovery
Eating disorders are complex conditions that often intertwine physical and emotional boundaries. The process of recovery requires a profound reevaluation and re-establishment of these boundaries to foster a healthier relationship with food, body image, and self-worth. Setting clear and compassionate limits becomes a protective measure, providing a sturdy framework for sustainable progress in recovery. It also helps us in life and helps us grow as individuals in our relationships.
Emotional Boundaries
In the realm of eating disorder recovery, emotional boundaries play a pivotal role. There often needs to be an emphasis on the importance of recognizing and respecting one's emotions. As we reestablish healing in both our body and our brain we are able to reconnect to our emotions. This can be a unique experience and can often cause great discomfort. Part of tapping into emotional boundaries is about learning to sit with discomfort, It involves acknowledging feelings without judgment and developing healthier coping mechanisms. Embracing emotional boundaries means allowing yourself to feel without succumbing to symptom engagement. This process often involves developing a distress tolerance. This is not easy we know, and it is powerful. The holidays bring up different emotions for people both joy and grief for example can coexist. The power of AND is real my friends. Learning not only to feel our feelings and to stick with them without symptom usage is a huge milestone in recovery.
Social Boundaries
The social aspect of recovery cannot be understated. As I always say find your tribe hold them tight! Having social support is a key predictor of sustained recovery. It's also important as we engage with our tribe that we express our needs and make sure they are being met within our relationships. This is not only important for the holiday season but all year through. This will look different for everyone. Some examples of social boundaries could involve setting limits on certain topics of conversation, declining invitations to parties, or simply being assertive about your needs and your recovery. Having needs does not make you needy despite what society may have convinced us to believe. Social boundaries also extend to online spaces, where triggers may be abundant. Make sure you are mindful of the media and the messages you are consuming this season.
Nutritional Boundaries
With the busyness of the season nourishing our body is a high priority. Nutritional boundaries will look different for everyone as they maintain recovery. Nutritional boundaries can help us lean into recovery. They also can help us to express our nutritional needs when or if necessary. Also if this season brings up a lot of emotions for us making it difficult to maintain our recovery mechanical eating can be helpful too. Don’t be scared to turn to this if you are struggling. Also please reach out for help if you are finding yourself struggling this season or anytime.
How to Apply Boundaries
Boundaries are great but how do we apply them? Below are a few tips I personally use and we teach our clients to use as they navigate the season.
Open Communication
Clear and honest communication is fundamental in setting and maintaining healthy boundaries. We can’t read each other’s minds so this is where healthy and open communication comes into play. Also openly share your needs and educate your support system on how they can contribute positively to the recovery journey. This transparency fosters understanding and empathy among friends and family. It also helps spread awareness.
Self-Reflection
Regular self-reflection is a powerful tool for identifying personal triggers and areas where boundaries are needed. Journaling, mindfulness practices, and therapy can provide valuable insights into emotional needs and responses. Understanding ourselves on a deeper level is crucial to establishing boundaries that are authentic and effective.
Professional Guidance
Collaboration with professionals, including therapists, dietitians, and support groups, is essential in tailoring boundaries to an individual's unique situation. We acknowledge this is a privilege. However, if possible reach out!!
Setting healthy boundaries in eating disorder recovery is not a one-time task but an ongoing and dynamic process. I say to clients often set the boundary and then set it again! Needing to reset and set boundaries is part of recovery and life. As we courageously navigate the complexities of their healing journey, establishing emotional, social, and nutritional boundaries becomes a cornerstone of resilience and self-compassion. Boundaries are not walls; they are the nurturing framework that supports healthy relationships. You deserve a beautiful boundary-filled season and if you need support please reach out!
Other Mental Health Services Offered in PA, NJ, DE, SC, and FL
We offer a wide variety of services related to eating disorder recovery including trauma therapy! We offer Weekly Support Groups, Nutrition Services, and Family and Parent Therapy as well as Coaching, all tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual. We offer our services for Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, and Orthorexia online in New Jersey, Delaware, South Carolina, and Florida! We are here to offer our support and understanding in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
We have immediate openings right now for eating disorder therapy in:
Delaware, New Jersey, Florida, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
And recovery coaching worldwide.
Recovered and Restored is an eating disorder therapy center founded by Gabrielle Morreale. We specialize in helping teens and young women heal from eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, orthorexia, and binge eating disorder and treat disordered eating, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. We provide eating disorder therapy in the towns of Horsham, Upper Gwynedd, Lower Gwynedd, North Wales, Lansdale, Hatfield, Blue Bell, Doylestown, and nearby towns with eating disorder therapy. Also providing virtual eating disorder therapy in New Jersey, Delaware, and Florida. Some towns served virtually but are not limited to Pittsburg, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Center City, Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Mount Laurel, Cape May, Avalon, Brick, Dover, New Castle, Bethany Beach, Marydel, and Oceanview
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