As you work to overcome an eating disorder, it’s important to continue your recovery even after initial treatment. This includes making healthy choices during your daily life which supports your recovery.
For working adults, there is an added challenge of balancing a busy work schedule with eating disorder recovery. These four tips can keep you mindful of your needs and make your recovery a priority, even when returning to your job.
1. Create a Plan
Focus on maintaining healthy habits at work by scheduling time for meals and snacks throughout the day. Eat balanced meals that include nutrient-dense foods to give you energy and support your mental acuity. By making that commitment and emphasizing your self-care while working, you can feel both physically and mentally strong.
2. Minimize Work-Related Stressors
For many working adults, work-related triggers can be a factor that may have led to developing an eating disorder, and recovery is not going to make those triggers go away. Instead, you can create strategies to reduce or eliminate stressors in your work environment. For example, you may want to avoid personal conversations with co-workers who share opinions or advice about your situation without you asking for it.
In some cases, work-related stressors may have led to development of an eating disorder in adults. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that those stressors will go away as you return to work.
Create strategies to reduce or eliminate stressors in your work environment. For example, if co-workers give unwarranted opinions or advice about your situation, avoid those intrusive conversations. If necessary, speak to your supervisor about optimizing your work environment to support your recovery.
3. Speak to Human Resources
Another option for busy working adults in eating disorder recovery is to utilize your employer’s human resources department. Speak to your representatives to see if any recovery assistance is available.
Your employer may have systems in place to help employees overcome eating disorders. Many organizations offer confidential Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), which can help provide access to therapists, group therapy sessions, or a registered dietician. If you don’t feel like disclosing that information to your human resources department, that is fine too. Do what makes you feel comfortable and what you feel will help in your recovery.
4. Find Your Stress-Free Passion
A great to support recovery is to pursue your interests or start a new hobby. By exploring different passions, you can create a healthy, non-food related way to relieve stress or unwind after a busy day at work. Here are just a few hobbies that may appeal to you:
- Playing a musical instrument
- Learning a new language
- Taking an art class
- Joining an adult sports league
- Start a yoga, tai chi, or meditation practice
- Working out with a friend or personal trainer
- Volunteering with a non-profit organization
Any of these activities can give you a sense of pride and fulfillment. Regardless of what you love to do, it gives you an activity to look forward to and one that keeps your mind occupied.
Help When You Want It
One of the biggest challenges of recovery from an eating disorder is learning how to live with stressors, both at work and at home. Don’t forget to lean on your support system. The love and support from your family and friends can go a long way.
If you feel like professional assistance may be the best route in supporting your mental health and recovery, High Focus Centers is here to help. Our team uses evidence-based treatment techniques to help. If you want to learn more about treatment options, or just have a friendly, non-judgmental conversation, reach out to us. See how we may be able to help you.
