Come As You Are For #NEDAwareness Week

 

NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association) is hosting Come As You Are for the week of  February 25 – March 3, #NEDAwareness Week. The organization works tirelessly to help individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA aims to be a “catalyst for prevention, cures, and access to quality care” for eating disorders. This organization supports those affected by eating disorders as well as their loved ones because caregivers matter too! This week is about body acceptance and owning what’s good about you. The theme is “come as you are” and NEDA is inviting you to participate in spreading the word and furthering eating disorder awareness.

 

Come As You Are

 

The 2019 theme of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is Come as You Are.  NEDA wants to highlight inclusivity in the eating disorder activism community. The organization sends the message to individuals at all stages of body acceptance that recovery is not possible. If you are living with an eating disorder, know that there is hope. You can recover, and no two journeys are the same NEDA invites everyone out there to speak up and share their experiences with eating disorders. There are many reasons to do this, but one of the most important is to connect with others in the community. Remember that you’re not alone, and you can get inspiration for recovery from those around you who understand what it’s like to live with an eating disorder.

NEDA is opening up a dialogue with diverse communities who are struggling with eating disorders. You can’t tell by looking at someone whether or not they’re struggling because people of all body types can be affected. Eating disorders impact people of different ages, races, and genders. NEDA is offering the opportunity for people who are struggling with an eating disorder or those who are in recovery to share their stories. All experiences are valid. There’s no right way to recover from an eating disorder. Everyone is welcome to share their experience, and talk about where they’re at in the process. By sharing our stories, we’re helping people we haven’t even met. You don’t know the power your words will have on someone who is struggling with an eating disorder.

 

Why is Eating Disorder Awareness Important?

 

Eating disorders are a mental illness. People do not choose to have them. They are serious and can be deadly if left untreated. If you or someone you know and love is struggling with an eating disorder, take it seriously. If it’s you, seek the help of a mental health professional. If your loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, support them and guide them toward help. You can call the NEDA helpline at (800) 931-2237 and ask for guidance as to how to help them. Eating disorders are serious illnesses, but they are treatable.

 

You can read about the different kinds of eating disorders in the BetterHelp advice section. Whether you are struggling with bulimia, anorexia, binge eating disorder or ARFID, there are treatment options available. You might feel powerless to your eating disorder, but you can get help and recovery is possible with the right resources and support. There are millions of people who understand what you’re struggling with, and you can connect with them in the community at NEDA, and especially during #NEDAwareness Week when you share your story online.

Call to action – Get involved on Instagram #ComeAsYouAre

 

During #NEDAwareness Week, there are many ways to get involved, including being active on social media sharing your story. One way to participate in the #ComeAsYouAre hashtag on Instagram. It’s a  fun way to help NEDA continue the dialogue about eating disorders and recovery. Share the things that you are proud of with the eating disorder recovery community. You can get involved by doing the following:

 

  1. Write down some things that you’re proud of about yourself on a t-shirt, some paper, or on your body.

 

If you need some inspiration. You can begin by thinking about some things you like about yourself, whether that’s your personality, your body or things you do well for others. There are no wrong answers here. You get to decide what you want to share with the NEDA community. The goal is to unite people in the eating disorder recovery world. NEDA wants to remind everyone that they are worth loving.

 

  1. Take a picture of yourself wearing the shirt, holding the paper, or displaying your body with the positive words. You deserve to feel good about yourself, and this is your chance to show that you have great qualities.

 

  1. Share your photo on Instagram, and other social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter. Use the #ComeAsYouAre and #NEDAwareness hashtags, and add some words to the post to explain what you’re proud of about yourself. NEDA wants to know that you have positive things to say about you. You are valued, loved, and beautiful. The goal is body acceptance and self-acceptance. It’s crucial to remember to use the hashtags! Don’t forget to include the official campaign hashtags: #NEDAwareness & #ComeAsYouAre!

 

  1. Lastly, tag @neda and at least three people in your life who remind you to “come as you are.” By tagging those folks, you are inviting them to join the #ComeAsYouAre Movement. The more people who participate in the movement, the better!

 

Eating Disorder Recovery

 

Whether you’re in the depths of struggling with an eating disorder or you’re in active recovery, many people understand what you’re experiencing. Eating disorders are common, and there are treatment options available. You might not believe you can get help, but there is hope. Recovering from an eating disorder is possible. One of the best ways to start is seeking the help of a mental health professional. You’re stronger than you know, and with the support of a therapist, it’s possible to recover and thrive after struggling with an eating disorder.