It’s always been extremely easy for me to care for others while often forgetting to care for myself. With the holiday season upon us, it’s a busy time for many people, which often leads to feeling burnt out. Taking time out for yourself is a necessity—it isn’t selfish or something that you can continue to put off. Self-care is essential in rejuvenating yourself and beneficial to your physical and mental health.  

Below are some self-care tips that I have found useful, and I hope they can help others as well:

The holidays are a difficult time for many of those who struggle with eating disorders. Six of our writers courageously shared their messages to their past selves. Check them out below. 

Yes, It Will Get Better 

Hey, Kaitlin,

Believe it or not, things will get better. There will come a time when the holidays aren’t full of worries about food and calories and working out. You can skip a workout, and the world won’t end. Holiday cookies aren’t going to kill you. 

Like other holidays, Hanukkah is often a time when family comes together to celebrate the miracles that took place so many years ago. For those in eating disorder recovery, this can be both a time of inspiration as well as a potentially challenging time, due to the nature of large crowds, traditions around food, and time spent with family. Below are 8 tips to help during this time. 

Heroes are everywhere. Heroes can be the strangers on the street, the friend we sit next to in class who lends a pencil when we forget one, or someone near and dear. Below, a few of our writers share more about the heroes who have inspired them in their own lives. 

Life Lessons From Dad 

By Kaitlin Irwin--Holidays always remind me of my family, and this year is bittersweet, as I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer in October. While I’ve had ups and downs with my dad, he has taught me many things about myself and life. 

Over the past 15 years, we’ve helped people across the country fight eating disorders and find resources for proper education and treatment. Now, read about how NEDA changed these five supporters’ lives for the better.  

NEDA has grown tremendously throughout the past 15 years, and it’s all thanks to supporters like you!

What are some things that can help with the struggle and recovering? Some things that maybe you haven’t considered?

For me, music is something that has saved me many times, and I think everyone has some songs in their lives that have made them feel understood, or empowered, or less alone in the world. Art, in general, is amazing in its power to do that.

While it feels like we were just relishing the start of fall, those telltale signs – red coffee cups, twinkling lights – signify yet another shift: the holidays are here. This time can be full of challenges for those struggling with an eating disorder: food-focused get-togethers, routine social gatherings, and unpredictable schedules. It is perfectly normal for all of us to feel extra stressed-out during this time of year. 

Can we really be thankful and present on Thanksgiving? When someone is struggling with, or recovering from, an eating disorder, this may be a challenging task. Thanksgiving, as its name suggests, is a time to look around and see all that we are grateful for. Often, we are too consumed by the presence of food, the fear of eating, and the focus on our bodies to appreciate anything.  

If any of you haven’t already watched Great Big Story’s video about American circus artist Kayla Dyches, “How the Circus Saved My Life,” then you need to go watch it right now! In this inspiring and unique video, Kayla talks about her struggles with anorexia and how her passion for aerial continues to pull her away from her eating disorder. Kayla’s story is one that is simultaneously relatable, empowering, compelling, and unique.

Last night was stressful (to stay the least) for most of America. As we recover from this year’s intense election cycle, self-care must be a priority. Check out these helpful tips from six NEDA staffers below.