It’s That Time of the Year: Trick or Treat The Holiday Season is Upon Us!
Fall has officially arrived, and with it balmy days, chilly nights, sweaters, lovely foliage, and…Halloween. The popular October holiday is legendary fun for children and adults with trick or treating and costume parties the highlights of the day. It is also a holiday that is “food-centric.” Candy and treats abound, with children bringing their treats home after a night out in the neighborhood visiting neighbors for candy. Halloween also kicks off the fall/winter holiday season full of days that bring family and food together. For people with eating disorders, this can be a scary, isolating time. But it doesn’t have to be! Read on for tips to survive Halloween!
Do I Want to Wear a Costume?
If the answer is no, then don’t! There are a lot of ways to have fun on Halloween that don’t require a costume. You can go to a party, visit a haunted house, or attend a fall festival dressed in whatever makes YOU feel comfortable.
And the Candy….
The abundance of food during holiday celebrations is overwhelming. Remember that you have a choice. You can try a little of several items and be honest about when you’ve had enough. You can make decisions that feel good for you and honor your recovery. Talk with your dietitian and therapist to make a plan for handling food-related situations at holiday time.
What if I Want to Stay Home?
That’s ok!! If parties, costumes, and candy are too much this year, find other fun activities to do. You can stay in and carve pumpkins, watch scary movies, or just have a quiet evening with friends. The choice is yours!
Holidays as a Recovery Challenge
As difficult as holidays like Halloween can be, they can also be a challenge to test skills learned in recovery. For example, you can use distress tolerance skills to handle the fear of walking into a crowded party. You can also practice setting boundaries when you don’t feel like doing something. If you don’t feel like having a food item or drink offered to you, or you are full, you can politely say “no, thank you.” You can also set boundaries around interactions with triggering family members or friends…..conflicts seem to develop during holidays with all the together time. Work with your treatment team to make a safety plan for these situations. You can always walk away and revisit a conversation later, and you can always leave a situation when it is uncomfortable. Use your recovery strengths to help you through and as you gain more confidence, you gain even more recovery!