We are currently working with Amy who is our 'Expert by Experience' and she is going to be providing us with some blogs relating to her experiences.

Now that the first month of the academic year is over, some of you may be finding some areas of school life that are challenging when you have an eating disorder.  In the following blog, I'll be looking at 'x' number ways to help make the rest of the year better.

1. Talking. I get it. I bet you're sick of hearing people say you need to talk to others but it is true, it really does help. Maybe start by talking to someone close to you. You don't have to word everything perfectly. Even writing something down to show them or texting is a great first step if speaking feels too overwhelming. Eating disorders thrive on secrecy so talking about your thoughts and feelings is key.

2. Time management/pacing yourself. The school year can be busy (especially for those in year 11,13 or university) with assignments, course work and exams. Even for people without eating disorders, this can be overwhelming so it us important to take a step back and acknowledge everything you have going on. Recovery is also tiring so be gentle on yourself. Creating a routine or schedule and planning everything out is one way to stay on top of deadlines and prevent burnout. This can be done on your phone, a random piece of paper, a whiteboard or a journal. It is important to include time to relax in order to recharge your batteries. There is no way you can do your best when you are over tired. 

3. Creative hobbies/non academic achievements. The pressure to do well in exams can be extremely challenging to manage. Having an outlet (that isn't studying) is vital to maintaining good work - life balance and preventing burnout later in the year. Some options include -

• Crotchet
• Drawing
• Reading
• Podcasts (my current favourites are pen pals - a comedy/casual by Rory Scovel and Daniel van kirk - On the edge -by Andrew Gold (interviews with people from all walks of life *it does cover sensitive topics* Labyrinths : Getting lost with Amanda Knox and Christopher Robinson *interviews about rediscovering yourself after hardship *sensitive topics are discussed*and Inner cosmos - by David Eagle Eagleman *a neuroscience/neuropsychology podcast* )
• Self care
• Journaling
• Pets
• Positive movement - for me this is bouldering and weightlifting! Make sure to check in with yourself to ensure this is not becoming a harmful coping mechanism. Recovery comes before everything else.

4. This isn't really a proper coping mechanism, but remembering that academics/exam results do not define you and "failing" an exam is okay. As many of you have finished your GCSEs will realise, no one asks you about your results once you have enrolled at whatever college or sixth form you choose. Even if you do "fail" an exam, there are ways to get through this issue. Remember, your self worth ≠ (not correlated with) exam results

Overall, be kind to yourself this year. School is hard enough for people without eating disorders so try to acknowledge how amazing it is that you turn up (even if it is inconsistent) and try to get an education.