It can be challenging to build a sustainable eating disorder recovery and stay on track. You may go through periods of improvement, only to find yourself slipping back into the eating disorder thoughts and behaviors.
How can you ensure your recovery is sustainable, and that you don’t let it slip?
This was a question Caris, a listener from our community, wrote in to be answered on Equipped to Recover, a podcast on The Recovery Warrior Shows.
On a recent episode, Project Heal CEO Rebecca Eyre shared valuable tips and tools to help you tackle these concerns and build a recovery that lasts.
To start things off, it’s important to break down three common recovery myths:
Myth #1: Recovery means never struggling with food or body image again.
Myth #2: You have to eat perfectly and never slip up to be in recovery.
Myth #3: Recovery is a linear process with a definitive endpoint.
These myths can make sustainable recovery seem impossible and discourage progress. In reality, recovery is a journey with ups and downs, and there are things you can do to ensure progress in the long run.
So, what do you do when you feel like you’re stuck in a cycle of slipping up in recovery? How can you get back on track – and stay there?
Keep reading to discover the game-changing tips that Rebecca Eyre shared.
Steps to Building a Sustainable Eating Disorder Recovery
- Embrace acceptance
- Have patience with personal progress in healing
- Focus on positive actions and behaviors
- Become your own recovery champion
1. Embrace Acceptance
Life is filled with constant change, and the road to recovery from an eating disorder is no different.
One key to achieving a sustainable eating disorder recovery is your ability to embrace acceptance.
This helps you come to terms with yourself, the ongoing challenges, and the realization that certain thoughts and behaviors may persist due to your brain wiring and past experiences.
Rebecca Eyre, a guest on the podcast Equipped to Recover shares the importance of being patient with yourself and accepting that some thoughts and behaviors may always be present, and that’s okay. It’s how you respond (or don’t respond) that defines your recovery, not the thoughts themselves.
Know that you’re someone who is very likely to have those thoughts again, and get ready for them.
Rebecca Eyre
She highlights how focusing on health promoting decisions and actions can facilitate recovery despite these persistent thoughts.
Understanding the importance of acceptance in your recovery process can be a gamechanger. These key elements help dispel the myth of a quick fix and establish realistic expectations for the journey ahead.
Accepting that certain challenges may arise and allowing yourself the time to work through them while focusing on positive actions creates space for your personal growth and lasting healing.
2. Have Patience with Personal Progress in Healing
Recovering from an eating disorder can be an incredibly challenging and complex process.
One key aspect that can contribute to sustainable eating disorder recovery is practicing patience with personal progress in healing.
It’s essential to recognize that recovery is not a linear process – there will be setbacks and challenges along the way. However, by remaining patient and compassionate with yourself, you can navigate these obstacles without losing sight of your ultimate goal.
You might feel the need to rush through your journey in an attempt to fix yourself quickly, but this often hinders genuine healing and could potentially cause further damage.
Be patient. Be really patient. This is a long process, and it’s not linear.
Rebecca Eyre
By embracing patience, you give yourself the space and time necessary for true recovery. This allows you to build a foundation of resilience, self-awareness, and understanding.
Rebecca Eyre emphasizes the importance of patience in the recovery journey. She acknowledged that certain thoughts and behaviors associated with eating disorders might persist. This is why it’s crucial to nurture patience and focus on choosing the best actions to propel yourself forward.
The concept of patience is so important as you navigate your path to recovery. Recognizing that your journey may be riddled with ups and downs, it’s crucial to realize that healing is a long-term commitment and not a quick fix.
By practicing patience, you can cultivate healthier coping mechanisms, address core issues that led to the disorder, and prevent relapses.
Ultimately, patience serves as a guiding light in your pursuit of sustainable recovery and empowers you to embrace the uncertain journey to well-being.
3. Focus on Positive Actions and Behaviors
One of the key elements of a successful recovery involves focusing on positive actions and behaviors.
This can help you combat harmful thought patterns and replace them with healthier alternatives, ultimately contributing to your well-being.
Rebecca Eyre shares valuable insights on the importance of focusing on positive behaviors and actions. She explains that the process of recovery often involves rewiring the brain and unlearning deeply ingrained habits.
By developing a mindset focused on positivity, you can begin to take steps towards your sustainable recovery and maintain your progress in the long term. This also helps you to realize that setbacks and challenges are a natural part of the process. Embracing this can help prevent feelings of failure or disappointment.
Cultivating a focus on positive actions and behaviors can empower you to take control of your life and work towards achieving a sustainable and self-compassionate recovery.
4. Become Your Own Recovery Champion
Rebecca Eyre emphasized the significance of becoming your own recovery champion. She shared that you can learn to be patient with yourself, and understand that it’s normal to have setbacks and challenges during the recovery process.
By taking ownership of the journey and focusing on self-improvement rather than external validation, you’re better able to provide yourself with the support and encouragement needed to progress.
You can be your own biggest champion in your healing process.
Rebecca Eyre
This powerful message not only demonstrates the impact of self-compassion and patience but also highlights the potential for you to become a vital source of support and strength for yourself during recovery.
Understanding the importance of patience and self-compassion in the context of sustainable recovery can offer valuable insights for the recovery journey.
When you give yourself time, understanding, and space to grow, it’s possible to create an environment that fosters healing and personal development.
The road to recovery may be fraught with challenges, but with a focus on self-compassion, you can find the strength to overcome obstacles and gradually rebuild a healthier relationship with yourself and your body.
By embracing self-compassion and cheering yourself yourself on, you lay the groundwork for a sustainable recovery journey that nurtures a more fulfilling life.
Lasting Recovery is Possible
The journey towards sustainable recovery from an eating disorder requires time, perseverance, and patience.
As you work through the healing process, keep in mind the importance of embracing acceptance, giving yourself the space to grow, concentrating on positive actions, and being kind to yourself.
By practicing the steps shared by Rebecca Eyre, you will undoubtedly move closer to a more sustainable and self-compassionate recovery.
Keep pushing forward, and remember that every small step counts on the road to lasting healing.
Click here to learn more about Equip.
Connect with Rebecca Eyre, Project Heal, and Equip
- Equip Website
- Project Heal Website
- Rebecca Eyre on Project Heal
- Project Heal on Instagram
- Equip on Instagram
