Returning to work or the classroom is an event that in itself can trigger anxiety. The increased work flow in addition to the daily interactions can feel like a trap to fall back into old patterns and behaviors, but through prioritizing your recovery and taking a few measures to help yourself, you can continue on a successful path.
1. Creating a Plan
Starting by creating a plan with loved ones or your support team of the best way to reintroduce this element to your life. Some may want to rush back into it and revert themselves in something they enjoy, but it's important to remember to pace yourself especially if work or school was a place where your behaviors were more frequent during your eating disorder. Having a plan for meals and snacks and whatever kind of other assistance it make sense for you to prepare, is best to be planned with your team in advance. This can allow for a smoother transition and a successful return.
2. Having a buddy
Even with a plan, it is possible to slip into old habits, so having someone at school or work who you are close with can help. However, it's important to remember they may not want to take on the same kind of role as someone on your team and you cannot rely on them fully to hold yourself responsible. However, as you regress in your treatment, this may be a friend who you can grab lunch with or have a daily snack with. Especially if eating with others helps calm your anxiety this can be a good idea, and if it is more anxiety invoking, then it can be a good exposure to optionally discuss with your team.
3. Be Thoughtful About Extracurriculars
It may be tempting to join all the fun clubs your friends are doing but it is important to remember you are managing recovery from you eating disorder which is a huge task that they may not be handling. You may want to pick one or two clubs that interest you and provide you with an escape from the daily stress of school and having to follow a nutrition plan. For example, you may not want to join a cooking club when you first return to school because you would be surrounded with a lot of food, especially if this could be a trigger for you. But, if this is something you have discussed with your team and feel ready for hen go for it and enjoy it! Other options may include: math club, robotics, chess, arts, singing, leadership, foreign language clubs, etc. Finally, there is sports which your friends may be doing and you may want to join, but this is something to be cautious of and consider before jumping into it, especially if you struggled with exercises during your ED. This may be something that you need to wait some time before joining but it can help to remind yourself there are plenty of other activities you can do throughout school until then.
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