Body Positivity Graces the Catwalk: A Look at New York Fashion Week
From newly implemented size minimums on models to anti-thigh chafing bands, the year’s New York Fashion Week shows seem to be changing. How do these shifts reflect the growing body positivity movement?
Comparison is the Thief of Joy
Compare [kuh m-pair]: to examine (two or more objects, ideas, people, etc.) in order to note similarities and differences. ex. to compare two pieces of cloth; to compare the governments of two nations. More common examples: to compare an iPhone to an Android, to compare her outfit to your outfit, to compare their relationship to […]
5 Ways Health Education Can Better Portray Living with an Eating Disorder
As someone who attended a public high school, health education was a really valuable class to me. While some may have considered it a joke of a class or an “easy A,” tackling topics like substance abuse, domestic violence/abusive relationships, obesity, and mental illness are extremely relevant to teens today. Now, seven years after my […]
Unrealistic Social Media Portrayals May Contribute to Body Dissatisfaction
In today’s culture, social media has begun to dominate even more of our lives, and its influence can quickly turn negative, according to a new study that focuses specifically on the effects of Instagram. Macquarie University and the University of New South Wales both researched the relationship between time spent on Instagram and body image. […]
Why I’m Not Trying to Lose Weight For My Wedding
This past year, I got engaged. As a result, some days I find myself knee-deep in wedding planning sites and paying extra attention to what others are posting about their weddings on social media. What I’ve noticed breaks my heart. I keep seeing posts about people who feel devastated about how they looked in their […]
5 Tips for Coping With Dressing Room Stress in Eating Disorder Recovery
You push the door open and walk into the tiny room. You hang up various articles of clothing and close the door, trapping yourself in that enclosed space with just yourself and a mirror for company. You take a deep breath and manage to look at your reflection, totally vulnerable to the fluorescent lighting and […]
I Lost 12 Classmates to Suicide and I Refuse to Stay Silent About It
National Suicide Prevention Month is a time when we mourn the loss and celebrate the lives of those who have been taken from us by suicide, as well as raise awareness for the various precursors to suicide: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and other mental health issues. Content note: Descriptions of eating disordered behaviors and suicide. […]
Identifying Eating Disorders in Athletes: It’s Okay to Say You’re Not Okay
August generally marks the start of school, back to hectic schedules and anticipation of what the new year might bring. To some this may bring about memories of triumphs; however, for others it could serve as a reminder of how far is left on their journey. August also serves as the annual NEDA Walk for […]
How to Tap Into Your Support System at the Start of the School Season
Recovering from an eating disorder is a process that not only affects the ones struggling, but also the people around them, such as family and friends. The recovery process may be frustrating at times—especially during the back-to-school season—because family members or friends may not fully understand your journey or the additional stressors brought on by […]
You Deserve to Live: Why I’m So Grateful I Did Not End My Life
All three of these times, when I made the decision to jeopardize my own existence, I truly wanted to die. In those moments, I believed that whatever I was going through – coming to terms with my sexuality, break ups, fights with friends, bad decisions – was worth ending my life. Today, as I am […]
