Eating Disorders and the New Year: 8 Ways to Stay Supported in 2026
You may be happy that the challenges of the holidays are over. We offer support for the New Year!
The New Year brings a return to routine, reflection, and renewed time with family. While these transitions can offer moments of connection and hope, they can also resurface long-standing patterns and sensitivities. At Sanford Behavioral Health, we recognize that healing from an eating disorder does not happen in isolation. That’s why our Family Program is offered to clients’ loved ones at no charge, enabling them to adapt alongside their loved ones.
>As the year unfolds, social moments continue, including returning to college, celebrating Valentine’s Day, gathering for spring holidays, or navigating everyday meals together. Even with the best intentions, loved ones may say or do things that feel triggering or overwhelming. Navigating these moments is a skill, and for individuals with eating disorders, it can feel especially challenging. Below, we share eight practical, supportive strategies to help you navigate family gatherings and social situations in the New Year and beyond without losing sight of yourself.
Eating Disorders and the New Year: 8 Ways to Stay Supported
1. You are Not Alone
No matter where you are in your life, the New Year often brings reflection, change, and heightened expectations. Remind yourself (especially before gatherings or goal-setting moments) that many others are navigating similar emotions. Don’t minimize your challenges. You are not alone in them. Challenge yourself to nourish your body with foods that feel good and bring you joy.
2. Traditions and Transitions
There will be traditions in the coming year: Easter egg hunts, summer barbecues, birthdays, resolutions, and a return to routines. Food is often central to these moments. Whether it’s a family brunch, a celebratory dinner, or leftovers lingering into January, these situations can feel complicated for individuals working to maintain nourishment. Planning can help. Know that your plate may look different from others’, and that difference is valid and necessary for your health.
3. Clothing, Bodies, and the “Fresh Start” Pressure
A new year often brings conversations about change, with new habits, new goals, new bodies. Conversations such as these can intensify body image concerns and discomfort with clothing. You might feel pressure to dress differently or present yourself in a certain way. Wear clothing that supports your comfort and sense of safety. Comfort is not something you need to earn.
4. Your Support System
An excellent “resolution” is to check in with your care team about mood changes, anxiety, or concerns that arose during the holidays. Talk openly with your therapist, dietitian, or medical provider, as they know you best. Be honest and open-minded. The New Year can bring both hope and stress. Don’t let the pressure to “start strong” overshadow the progress you’re already making.
“We challenge our clients to eat food that feels good and brings them joy. Nourishing your body is the main priority.” Tessa Sterling, LMSW, Sanford Behavioral Health Clinical Director
5. Relationships
In the New Year, you may find yourself in conversations rooted in diet culture or resolutions around food and body change. These environments can feel supportive or triggering. Give yourself permission to step back when needed. Eating disorders thrive in secrecy, which is why we advocate for honest, hands-on family support at Sanford. Clear communication can support healing for the entire family system.
6. Education and Understanding (Parents and Loved Ones Too)
Education is essential for individuals in care and their loved ones. Take time to learn about eating disorders and what your loved one is experiencing. Meet them where they are, without expectation or judgment. Simple statements like, “How can I support you?” or “I’m here for you” can make a meaningful difference.
7. Social Media
The New Year can flood social media with before-and-after images, goal lists, and messages about “starting over.” It’s important to remember that these snapshots are not real life. You are allowed to move at your own pace. Create space for moments of joy and presence. Remind yourself: I can enjoy this moment without changing myself.
8. Aftercare
At Sanford, conversations about aftercare begin on day one. In fact, ongoing support is essential, especially during transitions like the New Year. Our full continuum of care reflects the reality that healing is not linear. A helpful question for family members and supports is: “Do you have a relapse prevention plan, and are you comfortable sharing it with me?”
A New Year With Support
Tessa Sterling, LMSW, Clinical Director at Sanford Behavioral Health, shares, “The New Year can be challenging for those who are new to healing, actively struggling, or navigating body image and routine changes. Wherever someone is on their journey, Sanford Behavioral Health is here to provide structure, support, and continuity of care. Our goal is to help individuals reconnect with stability, nourishment, and the parts of life that bring meaning and joy.”
