I have always liked Cheryl Richardson’s concept of extreme self-care. Self-care does have to be extreme. That doesn’t mean it’s all or nothing, or that if you miss a step it’s an excuse to give up, but it’s about making self-care your number one priority.
February is a good time to focus on relationships, and for those recovering from an eating disorder, the quality of your relationships will parallel the quality of your relationship with food.
Your relationship with your body is the most important one of all.
Another phrase I’ve learned and embodied is precious self-care, the act of putting ourselves first, filling up our own selves so we have something to give other people, rather than giving first and being depleted.
Precious self-care starts with an open mind and a commitment to change. For our clients at White Picket Fence Counseling Center, the first practical step is to address the physical level of self-care. In individual sessions and groups, clients work with nutritionists to develop that healthier relationship with food that is central to healing.
We also recommend people assess and possibly reduce their alcohol intake, be conscious of the impact of caffeine, and ensure proper hydration with water and other healthy drinks. For some, supplementing with vitamins is an important step.
Hygiene is another crucial part of physical self-care, and makes a big difference to our self-esteem and body esteem (read more about the Five As of Better Body Esteem). How much better do you feel on the days you’ve showered, used nourishing body lotion, and dressed in attractive, well-fitting clothing?
All of these elements of physical self-care are the foundation for building a better body image. By treating the body as a temple, we create a welcoming home for doing the essential work on our physical and emotional self-care. By improving our relationships with food and the body, we can move towards a healthy discovery of who we really are.