The holidays are often portrayed as a time of joy, connection, and celebration — especially around food. But for individuals navigating Binge Eating Disorder (BED), this time of year can bring unique challenges.

From endless buffets and food-focused gatherings to disrupted routines and emotional stress, the holiday season can trigger urges to binge or bring up guilt about eating. The pressure to be cheerful, social, or “in control” may only make things harder.

The good news? With preparation, boundaries, and self-compassion, it is possible to get through the holidays without shame — and even with moments of joy.

Holidays are often imagined as joyful gatherings centered around food, tradition, and connection. But for individuals in eating disorder recovery, this season can be a minefield of triggers, anxiety, and pressure.

From family comments about food and weight to disrupted routines and overwhelming expectations, the holidays can test even the most committed recovery efforts. But with planning, support, and self-compassion, it is possible to approach holiday meals with greater stability and emotional safety.

This guide offers practical strategies for navigating mealtimes during the holidays — whether you’re in early recovery or supporting a loved one who is.

No one recovers alone. While professional treatment is critical for eating disorder recovery, peer and community support play an essential role in long-term healing. One increasingly powerful model of mutual support is the Eating Disorder Support Circle—a structured, intentional space where people can connect, share, and grow together through lived experience.

Unlike clinical therapy groups, a support circle is peer-led, community-driven, and grounded in safety, presence, and mutual respect. When thoughtfully designed, these circles can reduce isolation, challenge shame, promote body liberation, and serve as a lifeline through every stage of recovery.

This post outlines the step-by-step process of creating an effective and ethical eating disorder support circle, supported by research and trauma-informed practices.

Acts of service—volunteering, caregiving, mentoring, or simply showing up for someone else—can be more than kind gestures. They can be deeply therapeutic. While traditional therapy often focuses inward, service allows healing to emerge through outward action, community, and meaning-making.

In both clinical research and lived experience, serving others has been shown to reduce depression, anxiety, and loneliness, while increasing purpose, self-worth, and emotional regulation. For those navigating eating disorders, trauma, or mental health struggles, service can provide a path toward connection and restoration—when used intentionally and in balance.

A Comprehensive Guide to Preparing for the Fight for Your Life and Freedom

Making the decision to recover from an eating disorder is not a small moment — it’s an act of courage, a declaration of war against a condition that has long whispered lies, dictated your choices, and disconnected you from yourself.

But just like any battle, recovery requires preparation. It’s not about sheer willpower. It’s about having the right tools — the inner resources, external support, and practical strategies that will help you not only survive the war, but begin to rebuild a life of peace, presence, and purpose.

So if you’re ready to say, “I want to recover,” here are the weapons you'll need to carry.

Setting boundaries is essential when discussing your eating disorder with a partner, family member, or friend. Clear boundaries help protect your mental health, prevent triggering situations, and create a supportive environment in recovery.

Birthdays can be exciting, emotional, or even challenging in eating disorder recovery. They often involve food, social gatherings, and body image thoughts, which might bring up anxiety or ED urges. However, your birthday is about celebrating YOU—not about stress, guilt, or food rules.

Dealing with unsupportive people can be frustrating, hurtful, and emotionally draining, especially when you're working hard on recovery. Journaling can help you process your feelings, set boundaries, and build self-confidence in handling these difficult situations.

Practicing boundary-setting through role-play exercises can help you feel more confident, prepared, and assertive when tough conversations arise. These exercises simulate real-life scenarios, giving you structured responses to use when someone pushes back on your boundaries.

Setting boundaries is an important part of eating disorder (ED) recovery, but not everyone will understand or respect them right away. Some people might push back, argue, or dismiss your boundaries, whether out of confusion, habit, or lack of awareness.

Preventing treatment dropout and relapse in eating disorder recovery requires a combination of motivation, structured support, and emotional resilience. Many individuals struggle with ambivalence, fear of weight gain, or resistance to change, which can lead them to disengage from treatment or return to disordered behaviors. By identifying early warning signs and implementing relapse prevention strategies, patients can stay on the path toward long-term recovery.