Doing for Others Without Becoming Overwhelmed

This week's video is a response to a question and is a rather informal video. Thanks for watching. :-)

 

Bravery As a Stepping Stone

Continuing the theme of bravery, this week I talk about bravery as a stepping stone. I clearly highlight the difference between being aggressive and being assertive...so check it out if you need the reminder. :-)

Self-Awareness: Being Accountable

This week, I talked about Wanting Recovery vs. Actually Recovering, specifically as those things relate to taking responsibility/being accountable + mastering self-awareness. It's a great topic for all folks, regardless of your recovery status or if you even have a history of an eating disorder.

RELAPSES versus Setbacks

This week's video details the difference between setbacks/slip-ups and relapses, but I also provide encouragement, prevention measures, and how to improve your awareness.

EDAW13: Wednesday Warrior

This week's usual Wednesday video is up. The topic this week is "How You Can Use Your Voice." It's meant to be directly associated with Eating Disorder Awareness Week...but you know what? The best way you can REALLY use your voice is below... and it's important during EDAW and beyond.

EDAW13: Motivational Mash-Up!

Here it is - a BRAND NEW Motivational Mash-up for Eating Disorder Awareness Week. If you're in need of some kindhearted encouragement, this is for you.

Positive Changes

Anxiety Solutions

This week's video is on Anxiety Solutions. Anxiety often accompanies an eating disorder...and even recovery from an eating disorder. I discuss some useful tools for managing anxiety and remembering that you don't have to give anxiety all your power.

Stopping Yourself in the Midst of a Bad Decision

Last week, I talked about ways to stop yourself in the midst of a bad decision. I made a video in which I discussed some concrete ideas for re-training yourself, re-directing yourself, and understanding that what you're doing is destructive. The video targets unhealthy behaviors like binging, purging, and obsessive weighing on a scale. I recognize that not everyone with an eating disorder utilizes these unhealthy behaviors, as eating disorders are varied and as individual as the people who struggle with them... but I also know that many, many people out there are looking for applicable ways to help stop these behaviors.

Don't be hard on yourself. Allow the learning process. Don't berate yourself for failures. Instead, take pride in small accomplishments and in the very act of trying to change your bad behaviors. Effort is commendable.

I hope you can find the video helpful: Stopping Yourself in the Midst of a Bad Decision

Quick Lessons from Arielle

This week's video is comprised of some quick lessons. Take them to heart. :-)

Video: Remembering the Realization

This week, I did a video about pushing through in recovery, even when you've been at it for a while. I reflect back upon my own experience, which is something I don't often do, as the topic asked for a personal slant.

A New Year of Gratitude

Crisis: Coping with Transition; Coping with PTSD

I have been continuing the 4 week rotation on crisis. Week one, I talked about Crisis in the form of loss of a support team or member of your support team. Week two, I talked about Crisis in the form of the death of a loved one or a large scale disaster (like a hurricane). Below are the videos for weeks 3 and 4. 

Coping with Transition or a New Place:



PTSD:

Thanksgiving Message from Arielle

If today is hard for you, the message below is for you. It's my annual Thanksgiving message, and regardless of whether you're an American who celebrates this holiday or are living elsewhere, the message is still relevant. Take care of yourself, be kind to yourself, and celebrate how far you have come today. It's all about gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Hero?

My dear, delightful, and beautiful friend Tracey surprised me the other day by nominating me for the 2012 Health Activist Hero Award at WEGO Health. I visited Facebook to find that she had posted the nomination link and a message suggesting people vote for me in a variety of different groups and on my own Facebook wall.

Other friends and followers have joined in too and I am ever thankful. The page to nominate someone is here:
http://info.wegohealth.com/health-activist-awards-2012/ and the specific award would be Health Activist Hero if you want to follow Tracey's lead. :-)

I'm honored to be nominated and want you to know that regardless of any award recognition, I will never stop using my voice to support you, teach you, and advocate for you.

Thank you again!

When Friends Don't Understand Your Eating Disorder

Due to Hurricane Sandy, I was without power and unable to give you a Wednesday video this past week. Next week, all will continue as planned. I hope everyone is safe and warm. I did do a guest post for Libero Network which was posted on Wednesday, though, so I thought I'd share that with you, albeit a bit late:

Here is a snippet. You can read the rest by clicking the link:

When Friends Don’t Understand
Your Eating Disorder

by Arielle Lee Bair

---

At the beginning of 2011, I received a message that prompted a lengthy response from me and has since generated a lot of discussion. I often refer back to my response to the original message, because I have been asked similar questions time and time again. Sometimes friendships and relationships can be so emotionally charged that it’s difficult to see things objectively. And as many of us know, sometimes eating disorders muddy the waters of friendships even further. Below is the original (shortened) message and my response, with the hope that it will give some clarity to others who are dealing with the same dilemma.


(Read the full post at Libero Network...)

There are also some related video links posted there as well. Thanks to Lauren Bersaglio for featuring my post. Libero Network is full of resources.

Body Flaws

Comparisons

More Recovery Questions: Recovered and the Now

Finishing up the 4 week rotation on recovery questions:

Ways to COPE!

Tried and true (and specific) ways to COPE, with a spin. :-)