Gratefulness as a Binge Eating Recovery Tool
Why would we use gratefulness as a binge eating recovery tool? Why is gratitude important to eating disorder recovery? Well, sometimes as humans we become so bogged down in all the negative of this world. We focus on what's wrong, what needs to be fixed, and how much better life could be. What would happen if we refocused our mind on all the things that were going right? All those things we find beautiful in the everyday. There is always something to find joy in even when we seem to be surrounded by the darkest of moments. Gratefulness is important to binge eating disorder recovery because it helps us find joy, and in joy we're strong.
My Practice of Gratefulness in Binge Eating Recovery
When dealing with an eating disorder, it can feel as though the world around us, as well as within us, is nothing more than a dark cloud of wrong. I know for certain this is how I used to see my life each and every morning when I would open my eyes.
These feelings lasted for a long while. It is only in recovery that I have begun to look at this life I live from a different view. I now begin each day with a practice of gratefulness. This has been immensely helpful in keeping my mind in a positive place.
Simply writing out a gratitude list each day is a wonderful way to remind us of all the things we may forget to appreciate about everyday life. This practice forces us to see all the wonderful our life contains. It keeps us from constantly seeking more, leaving us unhappy with what we have.
Tips on Finding Gratefulness in Binge Eating Disorder Recovery
Gratitude in binge eating disorder recovery is all about appreciation and thankfulness. Take a moment each day to think of even one thing you feel joy for having. This can be the smallest thing such as your morning coffee, it doesn't matter. This practice is all about seeing the good in what you have instead of wishing things were different or better.
We cannot control the fact that we will feel darkness and will experience challenging emotions from time to time. In these moments, however, we can choose to look at what's going on from a different perspective. Just because one certain thing may not be the way we wish it to be that does not mean that all is doomed.
If we take a breath and choose to simply see, we will realize the amount of beauty we are constantly surrounded by. Gratitude is essential to binge eating recovery. Start each day with a grateful heart, show appreciation, and be thankful for this life you were given.
Keep going. Recovery is possible.
Gratitude in Binge Eating Disorder Recovery Video
APA Reference
Bialka, G.
(2017, September 10). Gratefulness as a Binge Eating Recovery Tool, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, April 19 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/bingeeatingrecovery/2017/09/tools-for-binge-eating-disorder-recovery-start-each-day-with-a-grateful-heart
Author: Grace Bialka
Thanks Grace. I found it became easy to be grateful after some practice and does improve my mood and attitude. I love the statement .." in joy we’re strong." My joy is fleeting - frequent but brief. I am still too quickly overwhelmed by anxiety and am eating before I am even conscious of this act. More practice on slowing down, deep breaths and mindfulness required here. I have also been chronically depressed for decades and many days feel like wading in neck deep wet cement. I also find relief in movement, and joy in creating.
So many great things to make habitual to function better with mental health challenges.
Hooray for all of us working on surviving to thriving.
Yes, hooray for us all :) I love your quote, "in joy we are strong" and I am so happy that you are having success in finding gratitude. Thanks for sharing!
- Grace