5 Tips on How to Navigate School with an Eating Disorder

By Becca Nano- Junior Mentor & Intern

Navigating an Eating Disorder is hard enough. Transitioning back to school with one brings new stressors and places us back in old environments that contributed to our struggle in the first place. Here are 5 Tips on how to navigate school with an Eating Disorder. You don't have to do it alone! Empowered RX is a great community for daily support!

1. Distractions-

When your ed thoughts are loud in school try to distract yourself in a positive way. If you are at lunch, start a conversation with a friend or if you are in class try to focus all your attention on the work you are doing or your teacher.

2. Know your own triggers-

Going into your school year try to be as well prepared as you can be. If certain environments are triggering to you like loud noises, bring headphones to lunch or ask your teacher if you can eat lunch in the classroom instead. Try to do what is best for you.

3. Calm yourself down-

Have certain things that soothe you. Anxiety can be high in school especially when in recovery. Figure out certain coping techniques that help you. Such as breathing exercises or grounding yourself by recognizing the things around you.

4. Eat lunch alone or with others-

For some people eating alone is harder than eating with people and vice versa. Figure out what works best for you and try to put yourself in the most comfortable position possible. It's all about just trying your best and knowing your comfort levels.

5. Remember not all eyes are on you-

It may feel like people are staring at you but try to reassure yourself that they aren't. Everyone needs to eat and have fuel in your body for a long school day. This concept will definitely take practice but just work on getting yourself more comfortable with the situation.