Beware of Eating Disorders – Health Update
Loving and Protecting Your Body: A Vital Step in Overcoming Eating Disorders
Loving the body involves unconditionally accepting and respecting every aspect of your body. This means appreciating your body as it is now, being sensitive to its needs, and resisting external pressures to change it. Loving the body also means avoiding falling into the trap of comparing yourself and evaluating your body based on your own intrinsic worth, not according to society’s narrow standards of beauty.
What is Protecting the Body?
Protecting the body means keeping it healthy by protecting it from harmful behavior. This includes meeting basic needs such as a balanced diet, adequate exercise, sleep and rest. It also means taking the necessary steps to protect your body from harmful eating behaviors (overeating, restricting, vomiting, etc.). Protecting the body also means recognizing and respecting your mental and emotional needs. This may include practices such as stress management, emotional expression, and seeking support.
Why is it important to love and protect the body?
Expert Clinical Psychologist Aslı Kanizi said, “Loving and protecting the body plays a vital role in the recovery process for individuals struggling with eating disorders. An individual who respects and cares for their body may be in a better position to maintain healthy eating habits, heal the damage caused by the eating disorder, and support long-term recovery. Additionally, loving the body strengthens self-esteem and positive body image, which can increase an individual’s self-confidence and quality of life.
Struggling with an eating disorder is a difficult and complex journey. However, loving and caring for the body can be a powerful ally on this journey. Being kind to yourself, respecting your body’s needs and protecting it from any harm supports not only physical but also mental and emotional healing. “Remember, every step is a step that strengthens your love and respect for yourself,” he said.
