Student Tribune
National Eating Disorders Awareness
This past week, February 21-27, was National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
and it is our hope to highlight this important topic by sharing the below facts
and tips with our college community.
As you may know, eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses in
which people – of any size, shape, race, gender identity, and age –
experience a preoccupation with food, weight, and body shape.
This year, for #NEDAwareness Week, we were all invited to
See the Change, Be the Change. The annual
campaign seeks to educate the public about the realities of eating disorders
and provide hope and support to those who are suffering. We can all work to
talk more about body positivity. Body positivity is a term that’s used
often in popular culture, but perhaps you are wondering what it means and how
you can get involved in spreading the message.
What body
positivity means:
- All people deserve to have a positive body image, no matter their
size, shape, appearance, or what messages society sends about what is
“beautiful” or “ideal.”
- Challenging how society views the body.
- Addressing unrealistic body/beauty standards.
- Promoting acceptance of all bodies.
- Helping people build confidence and acceptance of their own
body.
Some steps to consider taking:
- Replace negative self-talk about your body with more neutral
statements or gratitude about all the positive things your body can do for you
(for example: taste your favorite food, smell freshly baked cookies, play your
favorite game, and hug your loved ones).
- Disrupt other people’s negative self-talk: if you hear a
friend say something negative about themselves, gently challenge it and
encourage them to understand that their physical appearance is not what defines
them.
- Look for the beauty in strangers: let go of any potential judgement
and/or negativity while scrolling through social media or people-watching out
in public. Acknowledge every person has something that makes them beautiful. If
you’re feeling up for it, tell them! Most people appreciate a sincere
compliment.
- Even if you don’t have a positive view of your own body, work
to embrace the fact that this is the body you have and think of how you can
care for it so it continues to do the things you love to do: eat balanced meals
because it makes you feel energized, move your body in a way that feels good
and fun to you etc.
- Identify your values and what makes your life feel purposeful: how
can accepting and caring for your body help you create the life you’ve
dreamed of in accordance with your values? What people and energy do you
surround yourself with to inspire you to achieve that life?
If you or someone you know are struggling with eating disordered behaviors
or body image concerns, reaching out to the NEDA Helpline can get you connected
with a compassionate support person who will listen nonjudgmentally and if
needed, connect you to additional resources:
Online Chat: myneda.org/helpline
Call or Text: (800)- 931-2237
Crisis Text Line: Text “NEDA” to 741741
With warm regards,
Your Counseling Center & Disability Services Team
Phone: (585) 292-2140
Email: counselingservices@monroecc.edu & disabilityservices@monroecc.edu
Kennell, Morgan
Counseling Center & Disability Services
02/25/2022