Yoga and eating: Self help with eating disorder

There are many types of eatingdisorders which can affect people, more commonly appearing in menthan in women. These eating disorders interfere with one's naturalbody rhythm and appetite, leading to the formation of unhealthyhabits. Therefore, those who suffer from eating disorders eithersuccumb to binge eating, or binge eat and then purge their organismsthrough self-induced vomiting and the usage of laxatives. On theother hand, some individuals with eating disorders refuse to eat atall, desiring to preserve their fit body shape, ignoring theirnatural sensations.

Fortunately, yoga has been found to behelpful in this situation. Namely, some of the non-competitive andslower forms of yoga may lead to balancing one's organism once more,helping him/her regain control over his/her body and appetite.

Can Yoga Help with Eating Disorder?

Basically, what yoga does to the bodiesof those who practice it is teaching them how to listen to theirorganism and follow the rhythm of their functioning. Through awell-developed sense of self-control, yoga enables individuals tosuccessfully confront their harmful thoughts, thoughts which commonlylead to the onset of eating disorders and deconstruct them, moving onwithout being affected by them.

However, people who enter the world ofyoga in order to balance their eating habits usually realize that theserenity and high levels of self-control are the key factor to theeffectiveness of this discipline, rather than any extremephysically-engaging characteristics. In fact, many people who sufferfrom eating disorders such as anorexia choose to exerciseexcessively, only to lose even more calories, throwing someadditional blows to their bodies.

Thus, yoga desires a different, morepeaceful and graceful effect, promoting the stillness of the mind,being the foundations of the process of balancing the body as well.

Yoga has also been found capable ofreducing all the effects of eating disorders such as bone densityloss, osteoarthritis, blood circulation problems etc. Also, yogaboosts flexibility, balance and stamina, making the recovery processrelated to any eating disorder easier.

Yoga changes anorexic people from rigidand perfectionist to flexible and open, while, at the same time,allowing those who suffer from bulimia to build a stronger and morestable character. It also boosts this inner strength of binge eaters,helping them to gain control over their lives and eating habits,knowing when enough is enough.

Every single position that yoga has isdedicated to boosting certain qualities of life and health.Therefore, through a carefully planned and regularly practiced yogaroutine, every person suffering from eating disorders is bound to getthe necessary help in overcoming these nutritional and behavioralproblems, indulging into self-exploration, both on the levels of thebody and the mind.

Other Methods to Help Yourself withEating Disorder

Bear in mind that eating disorders arerelentless and very dangerous enemies, attacking your mind and yourbody without mercy. Therefore, dealing with them may require all theassistance you can get. Many people who managed to overcome theireating problems claim that no form of help is better for thesepurposes that professional help where the patient undergoes series ofexaminations and assessment, receiving the exact level and type ofcare they need.

Yet, some individuals claim that thismay not be necessary and that there are methods of self-help whichcan lead to a recovery from eating disorders.

One of the things you need to introduceinto your daily life, if you desire to break free from the clutchesof your eating disorder is eating regular meals. Three meals a day,being breakfast, lunch and dinner should be enough for you.Nevertheless, you can organize your nutrition better, eating six orseven smaller portions of food, regularly distributed throughout theday. Either way, once your body gets used to your eating habits, donot break them and do not skip meals. Rather, introduce some otherhealthy snacks in-between, whenever you feel hungry.

Eating is best to be done in company ofthe people you like. Thus, eat with your family or friends and enjoysome healthy socializing and chat at the same time. Do not talk aboutthe calories the food contains or the unhealthy aspects of some formsof nutrition. Focus on enjoying your meal and resting assured thatyou are making your organism happy and healthy.

Speaking of a healthy organism, you canachieve this only through consuming healthy food. So, eat plenty ofvegetables and fruits, adding complex carbohydrates such aswhole-grain bread, rice and pasta rather than processed sugars. Also,make sure that your meals are rich in proteins. Introduce thesethrough lean meats, fish, nuts and legumes. Finally, never forget todrink plenty of water.

Ultimately, as long as you yourselffeel satisfied with your body, you do not need to change it. If youfeel that being underweight or overweight is causing you healthproblems, react immediately. However, do not take other people's wordfor it if you feel good with a couple of extra pounds on.Nevertheless, do not skip regular exercising and focus on beingphysically active at least 30 minutes three times a day.

All these factors can prevent eatingdisorders from ever appearing. Still, if these start affecting yourlife, rest assured that yoga can prove to be of great assistance.