This is a little message for those whose body image struggles relate to their relationship with food and exercise.

Content warning: disordered eating

A time with quarantine and self-isolation can make anyone uneasy, regardless of their mental health history. But, if you’re predisposed to trouble with controlling your eating and exercising habits, unexpected changes in these routines can be significantly anxiety inducing.

 

Staying indoors for the majority of your time, whether it be to work from home or to self-isolate, may mean:

• You find yourself not having access to particular foods that you have built into your eating routine
• You find yourself eating more or less than usual
• You’re not be able to access the same tools to exercise
• You find yourself exercising less than usual
• Your day-to-day movement is less than usual

 

This is okay!

 

These modifications may leave you feeling like your body is already undergoing huge fluctuations and you’re spotting changes in your body that might not really be there.

Whether these changes have a direct effect on your body or not, please know that bodies do change. Whether it be dependent on how much water you drank, some period bloating, or a combination and then some, your body is always adjusting – and this is okay too!

 

Accepting change in your body is something to work towards whether you’re in quarantine or not. Your body will do what it needs to and this current situation is a chance to be grateful for it and nurture it.

 

A few things for you to note to self; unexpected change in eating or exercise habits DOES NOT mean:

• You have failed
• You are not working hard enough on yourself
• You need to panic into creating a new fully planned exercise routine
• You need to panic into restricting your calorie intake to ‘compensate’ for moving around less
• You are undoing any progress you have made so far

 

You are still able to be kind to yourself without controlling yourself.

 

The bottom line is, distancing yourself and making these changes is the best decision for yourself and everyone else. Thank you for fighting any instincts to push yourself too far against the uphaul of a routine you have felt safe in.

 

Just a few points on managing eating and exercising alternatives:

• You’ve got extra time round the house? Great opportunity to try out some new recipes and see what you can do in the kitchen. Start a collection, share with friends, share with strangers.
• We are all trying to figure out how best to adapt to this situation, but please don’t bulk buy and hoard food. You don’t desperately need that fifth loaf of bread, but someone else will.
• There’s nothing wrong with wanting to continue exercise at home – this is likely going to lower stress levels and give your mind a break, as well as keeping up with your physical health. Try master working out at home; with the range of free YouTube resources, you can find something to suit your living situation and abilities.
• A shout out to the instructors finding ways of delivering their classes and training via video – if this is an option for you, why not try it? I might be taking part in a remote self-defence class via webcam, navigating the layout of my kitchen to make it work. If you take anything from this, I hope it’s not that amusing image.

 

If things start to get difficult, please talk to someone, whether it be someone you know or a contact at one of the helplines on my Support page.

 

Chin up, you’re going to be alright.