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Navigating Body Image and Disordered Eating During the Holidays: Insights from Therapist Jen Gold

Published on: Published in: Online Therapy

The holiday season, while joyful for many, can bring complex challenges for those grappling with body image issues and disordered eating. In a candid conversation, therapist Jen Gold, who specializes in eating disorders, delves into the nuances of body image, the pressures of holiday gatherings, and how we can foster a healthier relationship with food and self-perception.

Understanding Eating Disorders: Beyond Body Image

Jen Gold begins by emphasizing the distinction between body image issues and disordered eating:

  • Body image issues often revolve around self-perception and societal beauty standards.
  • Disordered eating, however, involves patterns of behavior like restrictive dieting, binge eating, or emotional eating, often rooted in deeper psychological struggles.

She explains that while body image concerns can contribute to disordered eating, they’re not always the primary cause. Factors like trauma, family influence, and cultural messaging play significant roles in the development of eating disorders.

Why the Holidays Amplify Body Image Challenges

The holiday season poses unique challenges:

  • Food-Centered Gatherings: Traditional meals and celebratory feasts can feel overwhelming for those struggling with their relationship with food.
  • Comments About Appearance: Family gatherings often bring unsolicited remarks about weight or appearance, intensifying body image struggles.
  • New Year Pressures: The pervasive “New Year, New You” messaging can create anxiety around dieting and fitness.

Jen highlights that these stressors, combined with societal pressures, can lead to increased feelings of guilt and shame.

Shifting Perspectives: Strategies for Self-Compassion

Jen encourages shifting the focus from appearance and dieting to fostering a sense of self-compassion and mindfulness during the holidays. Key strategies include:

  • Practice Mindful Eating: Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues without judgment.
  • Set Boundaries: Politely but firmly address unwelcome comments about appearance or food choices.
  • Challenge Negative Thoughts: Reframe harmful narratives around food and body image with affirmations that celebrate your inherent worth.
  • Seek Support: Connect with therapists, support groups, or communities like Entwine Community or Yellow Chair Collective for guidance.

Fostering Empathy: How Families Can Help

Family members play a pivotal role in supporting healthier relationships with food and body image. Jen encourages parents and caregivers to:

  • Avoid moralizing food (e.g., “good” vs. “bad” foods).
  • Create a positive, shame-free environment around meals.
  • Model body positivity by embracing diverse body types and avoiding self-deprecating comments about weight.

Moving Forward: Building a Healthier Narrative

As we enter the holiday season, let’s take steps toward dismantling cultural pressures and harmful messaging. By fostering mindfulness, self-compassion, and empathy, we can navigate this season with greater ease and empower ourselves to develop healthier relationships with food and body image.

Resources

For more support and resources on navigating body image and disordered eating, explore:

Remember, you don’t have to face these challenges alone. Seeking help from a therapist or joining a supportive community is a courageous first step toward healing.

Seek An Individual Therapist at Yellow Chair Collective in Los Angeles or New York

If you are seeking therapy specifically tailored to your needs, consider reaching out to the therapists at Yellow Chair Collective. We understand that there may be unique contextual factors that may influence your experiences.

At our Los Angeles, CA, and New York City, NY-based therapy practice, we have many skilled, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive therapists who can provide an empowering therapeutic experience. For your added convenience and simplicity, we offer online therapy for anyone in the state of California or New York. We know that navigating body image issues and disordered eating can be challenging, and we want to support you on your journey. Follow the steps below to begin.

Other Services at Yellow Chair Collective

There are many options for treatment using online therapy in California and New York, it just depends on what you’re needing. And while we certainly service Asian American folks, we also work with individuals from other cultures, too. So, whether you’re needing support in overcoming anxiety, burnout, trauma, or PTSD, we can help. Likewise, we serve teens and couples in need of support, too. So when you start online therapy with us, you can bring your whole self, including past struggles, cultural impacts, and more.

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