15 Ways to Manage Eating Disorder Triggers

Here are 15 practical ways to manage eating disorder triggers, from building support systems to navigating social media without harm.

1. Ask for accountability from friends. If you have struggled with an eating disorder, let your friends know what behaviors to look for and how to talk to you about it if they notice it.
2. Surround yourself with friends who don’t diet and are content with their body—practicing moderate exercise and non-restrictive eating.
3. Consider friends who partner with you in recovery instead of illness.
4. If you need a treatment team, ask ERC and/or your college counseling center for help finding one. Once you have your team, be completely honest with them—this is how they can help you!
5. Let go of old clothes that don’t fit anymore. It’s easier to change the size of your clothes than to change your body.
6. Let go of comparison with others and practice self-acceptance and compassion.
7. Let go of secrets; talk about what’s happening emotionally as well as with food and/or exercise.
8. Use the groups you’re involved with for support (e.g., faith-based groups, sororities and fraternities, etc.).
9. Reconnect with your body and learn to trust it — yoga helps!
10. Find enjoyable movement, not rigorous exercise.
11. To decrease perfectionistic tendencies, practice making mistakes. Know your internal value — you are still worthy of acceptance despite mistakes!
12. Plan meals and snacks with friends. Ask them for their company on a weekly basis to go grocery shopping.
13. Drop the need to be perfect, a certain weight or size. Instead, know what you value and seek it out (e.g., love, laughter, adventure, etc.).
14. Beware of stressful situations including relationship break-ups. Stress can affect your appetite and affect weight. Let this be a time to ask friends to offer you meal support.
15. Eating disorder recovery websites and online accounts can sometimes be triggering. We’ve put together a helpful guide showing you how to navigate social media without triggering an eating disorder here.

Read more on this topic:

• Our List of 50+ Eating Disorder Recovery Tips
• 12 Tips to Help College Students with Eating Disorders
• Can Social Media Cause an Eating Disorder?