Easter can feel like a very pressurised time for a person with an eating disorder. Below are some tips and ideas to help over the coming days.

• – It is important to remember that it is just one day out of 365 days, so don’t panic.
• – Try and keep to your own routine around meal times, etc., if this is important to you and if you can identify a family member that you can confide in, enlist their support and work out with them specific ways of coping with the pressures of this time.
• – If you find yourself getting overwhelmed, try writing down your feelings, or take time-out from the ‘crowd’, to read quietly, to take a walk, or to listen to music.
• – Be prepared for comments about food and think about how you might respond. Try to avoid reacting defensively. Instead, respond in a way that invites others to respect your needs (Example: “It’s important for me to be able to manage things at my own pace at this moment” / “If I am allowed to manage things my own way, it will help me to feel less stressed”) 
• – Try not to expect too much – either of yourself or others – and you will avoid feeling disappointed. And remember that you deserve to be happy too, so choose what you want to do as much as you can.

Remember the email support service is available all over Easter. The Bodywhys Helpline is closed from April 22nd and will be open again on Tuesday, April 26th at 10:30am.