Episode 14: Returning to regular life after a global pandemic

In this week’s episode, Jessica is discussing the topic: “Returning to Regular Life after a Pandemic”.  The last 365+ days have been a rollercoaster and, rightfully so, this major change has affected many of our habits and routines. The lifting of the restrictions can even bring up new feelings of anxiety as our world begins to return to “normal”.

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Intro
Welcome to the art and science of eating. I’m Jessica Begg, registered dietician and clinical counsellor. I worked for fifteen years in programs for the treatment of eating disorders. I now help those that struggle with emotional eating and their relationship with their body. This podcast is where I answer questions to help people along this bumpy journey to creating peace with both food and their body.

Podcast
Hi everyone, and welcome back to the art and science of eating. I hope you’re doing well and taking care of yourself. And actually this is what I wanted to talk to you about this week. Taking care of yourself as COVID-19 restrictions are slowly being lifted. Recently with my clients, we’ve been talking about life restarting. People returning to offices; maybe being able to see our friends and family in person. And while on the surface this is what we’ve all been waiting for, it also brings so much new anxiety, seeing people in person. Our lives have turned upside down and sideways this past year and a half. Here in Canada, we’re slowly seeing our numbers go down as most of us have gotten our first vaccination and second vaccinations are well on their way. However, this past year has been a difficult one for literally everyone on this planet. No one has been untouched. Anxiety and isolation has been the driving force to all of us feeling the emotions between overwhelmed, sad, lonely, and generally what people have been calling languishing. Our bodies have suffered from the physical, mental, and emotional demands of almost 18 months of living this topsy turvy life. Because of this, not only has our connection with our bodies changed due to the destruction of our previously normal routines and activities, many of us, this has also come with physical changes to our bodies. And, like a moth to a flame, those in the diet are toxic, health and wellness arenas are working their butts off to make us feel like this is something that we need to fix or atone for. Companies like Noom or Weight Watchers are pushing their wares like their lives depended on it and everyone around us are talking about how their bodies have changed and thinking this is something that is wrong or needed to be fixed. So this is what I wanted you to remember: this has been a global pandemic -- Global Pandemic. Millions of people have died; markets have crashed; millions of people have lost work. We will talking about this and researching this period of time for generations to come, just like the world wars and other catastrophic events. Do you think that during this type of time, your body may change? Absolutely! Should you be compassionate with yourself and your body as it's done its absolute best to maintain your safety during this massively troubling time? Yes. Second thing, will return to our new regular life be difficult? Yes. Should you take it easy and allow yourself some time and space to figure out how you want to do your own four stage restart plan? Yes. Take your time to figure out the boundaries that you need to keep yourself safe during this time And lastly, just because people are panicking about weight gain, talking about weight loss, doesn’t mean you have to, too. You will do much better with a more self-care approach. After this difficult year it doesn’t make sense to subject yourself to more pain and suffering. Not like there is ever a time for this, but more than any other time, this is not the time. You can take another approach. When someone else talks about their new diet, you can redirect them to such things as yeah I’m spending my time and energy on slowly reconnecting with my friends. This time has been so isolating and yet it’s so hard to be social again. You can also respond gently with something to the effect of dieting and weight loss leads to weight cycling which increases cortisol, inflammation, and disordered eating. I’m choosing to care for my body in more grounded and centred ways. Make these things your own but think about it because you’re going to be blindsided by somebody’s off-comment. We will get through this transition back to normal life soon and I hope you can do it that is safe for you, in the meantime though keep up the good work because you’re doing a smash up job! I’ll talk to you next week.

Outro
This podcast is for education and information purposes only. Please consult your own healthcare team to discuss what is right for you and your care.