Humor Is Important on Your Eating Disorder Recovery Journey
Eating disorder recovery can be emotionally exhausting, overwhelming, and frustrating—but humor can be a powerful coping tool that makes the journey a little lighter. While eating disorders are serious, finding moments of laughter can ease anxiety, reduce stress, and help reframe difficult situations.
Why Humor Helps in Eating Disorder Recovery
The Benefits of Laughter in ED Recovery:
· Reduces Anxiety & Stress
o Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, making you feel calmer and more in control
· Helps Shift Perspective
o Humor can help challenge negative thoughts and remind you that one bad meal won’t ruin everything
· Breaks the Perfectionism Cycle
o Recovery doesn’t have to be perfect, and sometimes laughing at setbacks makes them feel less scary
· Strengthens Social Connections
o Sharing laughs with others reduces isolation and makes eating feel less stressful
· Helps You Feel More Like YOU
o Eating disorders steal joy—reclaiming humor helps you reconnect with your personality outside of the disorder.
· You don’t have to take recovery so seriously all the time—laughter can be healing.
Finding Humor in Recovery Situations
Examples of When Humor Helps in ED Recovery:
· Eating Fear Foods Like It’s a Reality Show
o “Tonight, on Survivor: The Lunch Edition—I will attempt to eat a sandwich without overanalyzing every bite.”
· Calling Out the ED Voice With Sarcasm
o “Oh sure, eating a slice of pizza will definitely cause my entire world to crumble. Nice try, brain.”
· Turning Meal Plans Into a Comedy Routine
o “Ah yes, the carefully curated snack of three almonds and a half banana—because four almonds would simply be TOO MUCH.”
· Laughing at the Ridiculous Diet Culture Messages
o “Drink this magic detox tea and watch your problems disappear—along with your patience and your money.”
· Celebrating Small Wins With a Sense of Humor
o “I just ate a bagel and survived. Where’s my Olympic medal?”
· When you take the power away from the eating disorder and laugh at it, it loses its control over you.
How to Use Humor as a Coping Tool
· Ways to Incorporate Humor Into Recovery:
o Follow Recovery-Focused Comedy & Memes
§ Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have funny and relatable recovery accounts that make the journey feel less lonely
§ Examples: @yourdiagnonsense (ED recovery humor), @nourishandeat, @recoverychatter
o Watch Funny Movies or Shows After Meals
§ If meals are stressful, watching your favorite comedy right after eating can help shift focus away from food anxiety
§ Try: Brooklyn 99, Parks & Recreation, Schitt’s Creek, The Office, or stand-up comedy specials
o Write a Letter to Your ED Like a Roast Battle
§ “Dear ED, you’re like a bad ex who keeps showing up uninvited. Take a hint and move on.”
o Surround Yourself With Playful People
§ Friends and family who make you laugh help create a positive recovery environment
o Reframe Setbacks With Humor Instead of Shame
§ Instead of spiraling after an unexpected binge or skipped meal, try:
· “Well, that didn’t go as planned. Guess I’m human after all.”
“Recovery isn’t linear, but neither is my Wi-Fi signal, and I still get through my day.”
Recovery is hard, but humor can make it more bearable. Laughing doesn’t mean you’re not taking recovery seriously—it means you’re making it more sustainable.
Humor Is a Sign of Strength, Not Avoidance
Some people worry that laughing about recovery means they aren’t taking it seriously. In reality:
· Using humor shows resilience → It’s a sign you’re strong enough to step back and reframe tough moments
· Laughing doesn’t mean you’re ignoring emotions → You can feel emotions AND use humor to cope
· Humor helps break the ED’s control → When you joke about it, you take back the power
Disclaimer: This information is intended for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs immediate help, please contact a healthcare professional or crisis intervention service immediately.
