Today marks the completion of my first vacation ED free! WHOOP WHOOP!!! The last time we boarded a cruise several years ago I found myself terrified of what lie ahead, anorexia nervosa ruled my life and I was still working on breaking free of its grasp. But, this time, ED took a hike as I ate what I wanted, when I wanted, and thoroughly enjoyed all the cruise had to offer without fear.
It was a small accomplishment, but one I am quite proud of - as I always tell you, no victory in ED recovery is a small victory.
Anyways, why is vacation such a hot topic when one is recovering from this condition? Well, in America, our social lives often surround eating food or socializing around food. However, on vacation, food seems to be an even BIGGER part of the picture - you eat out more often, your eating schedule is thrown off, there are tons of opinions surrounding food, there is more food, and there are different foods than you might consume otherwise. Thus, for those with eating disorders, vacations can be dreadful and if not prepared for or approached properly, it can feel as if you yourself are drifting in a chaotic ocean, your life raft ripped away from you. You are facing a huge challenge daily, but are surrounded by none of your familiar clothing, normal environments, and have no access to your usual coping mechanisms.
Yikes.
Over the course of my 6.5 years in recovery so far, I have encountered several such trips and have devised some tips for traveling with ED based on trial and error. It has been a long journey, but one that is seemingly coming to a close. Therefore, on the tail end of another trip I decided it would be the perfect time to share all I have learned.
***Obviously, depending on your subtype of eating disorder and stage in recovery, some of the following may not apply to your current position, so feel free to pick and choose what applies to you and what you think might work best.
My Top Ten Tips For Vacationing With ED:
If possible, pack a few safe foods from home or pick up a few at the store when you reach your destination. It is common to experience many challenges while away from him - surroundings, foods, etc - and having a few easy foods can be a life saver when you need some comfort or the stress is a bit too high. It is also helpful to pack some small snacks that can be taken with you incase of emergencies.
Keep using that meal plan as best as you can. Maintaining some semblance of normalcy is like having a life jacket amidst all the hustle and bustle of the waves, providing you some wonderful support.
Don't forget about your coping skills and pack some coping tools to have with you after meals. Having these tried and true methods of distraction to fall back on following particularly hard meals is comforting.
Ask for help. Family and friends are great for making you laugh, comforting you, challenging you, and holding you accountable to keep pushing forward in recovery.
Pack clothing that you feel confident in and are familiar with to help provide comfort.
Have a back-up plan. Perhaps you are going out to dinner and they have run out of the meal you planned to eat ahead of time, having a packed meal or options at home in your back pocket is a great way to ensure to maintain fun and reduce stress.
Keep challenging yourself. It is easy to push off the continuation of recovery until vacation is over, but keep eating those challenge foods and battling ED while away.
Do not alter your exercise routine based on the possibility you may consume more food. That is disordered thinking and should be avoided. You are allowed to eat even if you do not go to the gym that day.
Know where you are in recovery and give yourself kindness in that space. Some things may be too much, it is okay to skip these challenges for now. In time, you will be able to face them with strength, but if today is not that day it is okay.
Consider vacation as memory making. You will not look back and remember the food you ate, but you will remember the time with family and friends, strolling down the beach at sunset, and sneaking out at night for ice cream. Do not let ED deprive you of such memories.
I know it might seem frustrating and discouraging now to balance recovery with vacation, but I believe in you and want to encourage you that it is incredibly worthwhile to be diligent and dedicated in your recovery - even on vacation because one day, you are going to be strolling down a beach at sunset as you enjoy some cold ice cream and a laugh with family, and ED will be a distant memory.
