Marino Therapy Centre

Preparing for a Fun-filled and Happy Christmas Season

To help prepare for a fun-filled and happy Christmas, here are some suggestions to explore:

Ask yourself what you really want from Christmas.
Think about last Christmas and decide how you need this one to be. What would you like your ideal Christmas to be?
Make your world sparkle. Do it literally. A little glitter and sparkle makes us perceive our world brighter and lighter. Put up fairy lights, dot your home with candles, put sparkle over your face and hair – bound to boost your mood.
Treat yourself.
Ten minutes of laughter has the same effect as ten minutes of hard aerobics.
It is okay to firmly tell family members and friends, who knows about the eating distress not to comment on any person’s appearance, or how and how much food is being eaten. It is best to actively avoid talking about dieting, or making any weight or appearance related comments.
Remember that mealtimes are a part of everyday life. Content and serving should be decided in advance, because on-the-spot decision can be more stressful. It is easier to serve the meals away from the table.
Initiate talk about general topics and light current affairs, to distract from an anxiety. Talking about films and literature, hobbies and being interested in other people interest lower the intensity of the negative thoughts. Playing music is extremely beneficial.
Remember, people are not mind readers, you need to try to express how you feel too so you are not walking on egg shell this Christmas
Christmas Day falls on Friday this year so when you wake up just imagine that it is like other Friday in the year. For example say to yourself: “Thank God it is Friday! It is another day and this will be a good day!!”
What is the difference between the Christmas you used to have as a child?
Ask yourself: What do I like about Christmas and what do I not like?
What particular things have you found difficult in past? What are you fears and anxieties?
What ideas do you have about things that help you this Christmas?
How can your family help you this Christmas? What words are particularly helpful?
Who is home for Christmas? What do I want to do?
What are the family planning to do together?
What would I like to do? What are the pros and cons of this?
What can I manage to do? What can I do instead this time?
What presents would you like for this Christmas?
Name you fear about food and nourishment
List out the nice moments from last year
What did you learn in 2009 that can be used in next year?

Someone to 'chat' to on Christmas Day

This year MTC and Iceberg are running a new service on Christmas Day. We will be hosting Live Chat so if you are finding Christmas Day a little bit challenging, Marie will be online on Christmas Day between 5pm to 7pm. (More details will be available soon).

Online Support

You can support each other on-line at Iceberg www.eatingdisorderselfhelp.com in addition to sessions, and carework.

Remember, the most important thing is to have fun!!!