“Every word, facial expression, gesture, or action on the part of a parent gives the child some message about self-worth. It is sad that so many parents don’t realize what messages they are sending.”
Virginia Satir
Are you listening to your inner voice? What stops you from listening to your intuition? What would your life look like if you followed your heart?
Eating Disorder Awareness Week!
A message from the National Eating Disorder Association:
Eating disorders are serious illnesses, not lifestyle choices.
Eating disorders are complex conditions that arise from a combination of long-standing behavioral, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, biological and social factors. As our natural body size and shape is largely determined by genetics, fighting our natural size and shape can lead to unhealthy dieting practices, poor body image and decreased self-esteem. While eating disorders may begin with preoccupations with food and weight, they are about much more than food. Recent research has shown that genetic factors create vulnerabilities that place individuals at risk for acting on cultural pressures and messages and triggering behaviors such as dieting or obsessive exercise.
In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Approximately 15 million more are struggling with binge eating disorder.
Education, early intervention, and access to care are critical. There has been a rise in incidence of anorexia in young women 15-19 years old in each decade since 1930; over one person’s lifetime, at least 50,000 individuals will die as a direct result of an eating disorder. In the United States, we are inundated with messages telling us that thinner is better, and when we “fit” our culture’s impossible beauty standards, we will be happy. Did you know that 80% of all ten year olds are afraid of being fat? As a culture, it is time for all communities to talk about eating disorders, address their contributing factors, advocate for access to treatment and take action for early intervention. You can make a difference: do just one thing to initiate awareness, education and discussion about eating disorders in you community. If we all do something, we’ll have a tremendous impact!
Help is available, and recovery is possible. While eating disorders are serious, potentially life-threatening illnesses, there is help available and recovery really is possible. It is important for those affected to remember that they are not alone in their struggle; others have recovered and are now living healthy fulfilling lives. Let the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) be a part of your network of support. NEDA has information and resources available via our website and helpline:
NEDA www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
NEDA Helpline: 800 931-2237
Here is a great way to start of the new year!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18768430
What is your 6 word memoir?
Let Go…
To let go does not mean to stop caring. It means you can’t do everything and you can’t do it for someone else.
To let go is not to cut yourself off. It is the realization that you can’t control another.
To let go is to allow yourself and others to learn from natural consequences.
To let go is to recognize when the outcome is not in your hands.
To let go is not to take care of but to care about yourself or another.
To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive.
To let go is not to judge, but to allow yourself and others to be a human beings.
To let go is not to expect miracles, but to take each day as it comes and cherish yourself in it.
To let go is not to criticize or regulate yourself or anyone else but to try to become what you dream you can be.
To let go is not to regret the past but to grow and live for the future.
To let go is to fear less and love more.
-Adapted from: “Weighing Your Options: A Guided Workbook for Body Image and Disordered Eating by Jennifer Craig, LCSW, BCD
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” -Gandi
Reflection: In what areas of my life am I truly happy? Where in my life can I be more more congruent in what I think, say and do?
Check out this NPR article: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130897679&sc=emaf
Challenges:
1) Notice how often you are more engaged with social media than you are with your relationships.
2) Leave your cell phone at home next time you go out with your partner.
3) Plan media free times with your partner.
The stress of the holiday season can often intensify symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Psychotherapy and medication are helpful tools in treating and coping with depression and anxiety but they do not eliminate stress from your life.
Here are some suggestions for promoting stress resistance during the holiday season and beyond:
1) Pace yourself
*avoid crowds and congestion
*keep perfectionism in check
*schedule “do nothing” days
*honor your own energy cycle
*avoid negative people
*let go of guilt
*take time for healing and rest
2) Exercise
*exercise is a natural anti-depressant
*find something you enjoy
*walk more…buy a pedometer and keep track of daily steps
*try group fitness or hire a trainer
3) Put more pleasure in your life!
*get a massage
*listen to music
*take a bath
*spend time in nature
*light candles
*try aroma therapy
4) Pay attention to your emotional and spiritual connections
*stop comparing yourself to others
*de-clutter your home
*meditate
*make a gratitude list
*try yoga
*make time to connect friends and family
My blog is up and running! Starting in December I will be writing a monthly blog and will frequently be posting recommended reading, quotes and helpful articles.
