THIS ARTICLE republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Christmas can be a time of togetherness, fun, and relaxation. However, it can also bring unique challenges—especially for those who struggle with eating disorders, weight concerns, or eating disorder.

There are many reasons why the holidays can be a difficult time for people who struggle with eating disorders. Holidays are always possible raising feelings such as stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression.

Therefore, some people may turn to food for comfort and solace. Trapped inside the house because of the festival or because of the cold weather can also encourage overeating and worsen bad food.

Another issue is that there are so many health and food messages throughout the year telling us what we are should and shouldn’t eat. But during the holidays, advertisements and cultural messages often promote indulgence.

It can even make people confused about what to eat—or make them feel guilty if they overindulge in festival foods. Added to this are social pressures—not wanting to say “no” to invitations that may involve eating and drinking more than usual.

For people struggling with unhealthy eating patterns, the holiday season can feel like a minefield. Christmas celebrations often revolve around large, communal meals and encouraging extravagance. This is triggering complex and sometimes painful feelingsleading some to avoid family and social gatherings.

Eating disorders often involve developing habits around eating routines. For those with an eating disorder, eating in public can cause distress with fear of judgment or feeling overwhelmed by focusing on food.

The festive season can feel especially stressful for those struggling with both unhealthy eating patterns and money worries. During the festive season, stores and advertisements tempt us with expensive, luxurious foods.

For those dealing with money worries, the added pressure of Christmas spending can trigger feelings of inadequacy and shame.

While this time of year is undoubtedly difficult to navigate, if you are someone who struggles with poor eating or weight and food concerns, there are some strategies you can use to overcome them.

Avoid Feast and Famine

The new year often comes with pressure to undo holiday indulgences—leading many to consider crash dieting. However, too much of these foods can be harmful to both physical and mental health.

Instead of falling into the trap of “feast or famine” during the holidays, try to find ways to balance overindulgence with healthy habits. Instead of eating a tempting dessert right after a meal, try going for a walk with your partner or family. The craving may be gone by the time you return.