From endless conversations around food and diets, to seeing family members who may invoke unpleasant emotions, Thanksgiving and the holiday season can be an incredibly difficult time for people struggling with body image and eating concerns.
Recognizing the increased need for support during food-centric holidays such as Thanksgiving, The NEDA Helpline* will be available via click-to-chat from 12 pm - 8 pm ET on Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 25, 2021.
In addition to offering holiday click-to-chat Helpline hours, we have compiled a list of resources below to provide information and inspiration to help navigate this Thanksgiving.
A THANKSGIVING NOTE FROM LIZ THOMPSON, NEDA’S CEO
On behalf of the NEDA Board and staff, Liz Thompson, CEO, extends a warm thank you for your support of NEDA. On behalf of the Board and staff, we appreciate your dedication, your investments of time and resources, and your willingness to stand with us during change.
Read Liz's thankful list (people and things) for 2021!
PURSUING & MAINTAINING RECOVERY
- Tips for Surviving Thanksgiving in Recovery
- 7 Tips for Getting Through Thanksgiving in Eating Disorder Recovery
- Navigating Binge Eating Disorder Recovery During the Holiday Season
FOR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES
- How to Survive the Holidays When Your Child Has an Eating Disorder
- 5 Ways to Create a Safe Space for Those Struggling This Holiday Season
- Twelve Ideas to Help People with Eating Disorders Negotiate the Holidays
- Holiday Mantras That Promote Understanding and Acceptance
COPING WITH FAMILY DYNAMICS
- Opting Out of the Holidays with Family
- Surviving the Holidays as a Transgender or Nonbinary Person
- Holidays in a Latino Culture: Greetings from a “Gordito”
REJECTING DIET CULTURE
- Thanksgiving Goodness Without the Guilt
- Incorporating Intuitive Eating Into Thanksgiving Festivities
- 5 Ways to Shut Down Body Bashing This Holiday Season
- 6 Things to Lose This Holiday Season That Aren't Weight
SELF-CARE & SELF-LOVE
- The Self-Care Master Post: Ideas, Inspiration & More!
- Yoga for Self-Care
- Gratitude: A Gift to Yourself
- Attention: This is Your Holiday Priority
- Strategies for Enjoying the Holidays: Tips from Fellow Readers
NEDA in the news
- Diet talk can be overwhelming at Thanksgiving. Here are tips to cope (Good Morning America; GMA)
- How to navigate those uncomfortable questions at your holiday dinner table (USA TODAY)
- Why 'overindulging' at your Thanksgiving dinner isn't a big deal (USA TODAY)
- How I’m Using This Pared-Down Holiday Season to Rewrite My Relationship With Food (Vogue)
- How To Avoid Diet Culture Talk On Thanksgiving (Betches)
* For 24/7 crisis support, please text “NEDA” to 741-741 to be connected with a trained volunteer at Crisis Text Line. You can also contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or 1-800-273-8255.
