EATING DISORDERS

Eating disorders is an ongoing issue that tends to be overlooked by society. Students in girls high schools all across New Zealand, are falling into the trap of having an eating disorder. However, eating disorders are about more than just the food that you consume. Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions. It affects you psychologically and physically.

There are many external factors that can influence and impact the way you think and feel about yourself. It can be genetic. It can be your unmet needs from others. It can be past trauma, denial or guilt. It can be the “picture perfect” or “one size fits all” or “healthy eating” influence from social media. It can be the way your body has been changing over the years due to your hormones. It can be being unhappy in school so you make changes to yourself due to wanting to fit in rather than finding a place where you belong. Or it can be logic; the lack of belief in your own self worth. Things like this can make you want to control your own world. But if you don’t have the power to do so, you control your next best option which tends to be food. The most common eating disorders are restrictive eating (anorexia or bulimia) and overeating (binge eating). A lack of nutrients can result in not being able to think clearly, not being stable enough to do school, not being able to exercise, having to go into the hospital, or having to go into a residential home.

Your body is like a plant. When a plant starts dying, we find ways to keep it alive. We water it and we nurture it so that it can keep growing and be supported until they find themselves again. You need to do the same for yourself. You also need to remember that there is not ‘one’ type of body that makes a beautiful body. What makes a body beautiful is how well you’re treating it and how good you feel in your body.

TIPS ON HOW TO BOOST YOUR MOOD

Listen to your body
Eat until you’re satiated and satisfied. Have 3 structured meals a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner). You know when you’re done eating. At the end of the day, you only have your body. You need to listen to it.

Keep yourself busy; workout
This doesn’t mean doing an intense cardio circuit every single day. Make sure to do a range of workouts (full body, upper body, core, leg, booty) and change the intensities of them.

But don’t restrict yourself; reward yourself with a treat
If you want a chocolate bar, go eat a chocolate bar. Don’t think about how bad it is for you and how you’re going to gain weight. Just have the chocolate bar and enjoy it.

Remember that your body will always be changing
Your body will constantly be changing all throughout your life and that’s okay. When you notice a change in your body, acknowledge it, accept it and love it. You are a beautiful one of a kind being.

Stop focusing on your insecurities
Stop examining every single part of your body in front of the mirror. Not worrying about your appearance will help you live in the moment and live a much happier life.

Practice positive affirmations
You are so beautiful. Your body looks great. You are so healthy. Tell yourself all good things and you will soon start believing it.