Cultivating Calm in Colorado When You Have Binge Eating Disorder During the Holidays
Finding calm moments can help ground yourself as you work through your binge eating issues. When you are in Colorado over the holidays, it’s important to create space for such calm as you navigate life while struggling with food, eating, and body image. Thats where a binge eating program is beneficial. Whether you live in Denver, Boulder, Ft. Collins, Colorado Springs, or up in the mountains, it’s vital when you have a binge eating disorder to take time to pause, connect with nature, and foster self-compassion. I’ve outlined five places in Colorado where you can ground yourself and cultivate calm. I’ve included a Takeaway Tip with each to help you get to where you need to be!
Denver City and County Building
I grew up in Denver, Colorado. During the holidays, the city decorates the City-County Building (pictured). It’s a beautiful, peaceful display that contrasts nicely with the crisp, Colorado night sky. I’ve spent many evenings standing in front of the building and feeling a sense of calm. Grab a hot drink and stroll around there with a loved one.
Denver Botanical Gardens
Over the holidays, the Denver Botanical Gardens holds the Blossoms of Light event at night. It is a display of color and LED lights lining the meandering paths throughout the outdoor space. You can get in your evening snack at the vendors on sight and feel magically transported as you stroll through the gardens.
Takeaway Tip: Plan your snack to coincide with an evening holiday excursion.
Garden of the Gods
In Colorado Springs, at the foot of the famous Pikes Peak mountain, is the Garden of the Gods. It’s a National Natural Landmark. It has huge Red Rocks sticking out of the ground. There are paths where you can weave in and out of the rock formations. I have spent several weekend afternoons getting fresh air and connecting with nature in a unique way.
Takeaway Tip: When you are going to spend time in nature, bring something to drink and 2-3 nonperishable snacks so you can eat consistently throughout the day, which prevents binge eating.
Red Rocks Amphitheater
It is weird that I’ve never attended a concert at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater. I just used to go up there and hang out with my friends. We’d even sit on the stage and sing together (the acoustics—we had to do it!). I have so many peaceful memories of being there and feeling so connected to nature and to my loved ones.
Takeaway Tip: Find a supportive and nonjudgmental friend (or two) with whom you can share your binge eating struggles, similar to our binge eating program. If you’re feeling the urge to binge, ask this friend to accompany you when you go somewhere as a group. Support is key to recovery.
16th Street Mall
I attended the University of Colorado at Denver for my undergraduate degree. It’s right next to 16th Street Mall, which I consider to be the heart of downtown Denver. I may have skipped a class or two to hang out there. It’s an outdoor, pedestrian (except for the electric buses and horse carriages) street lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. It’s especially nice during the holidays because of the lights, the decorated horse carriages (nippy yet romantic this time of year), and the overall festive atmosphere. Plus . . . SHOPPING.
Takeaway Tip: Sometimes seeing a lot of restaurants can feel overwhelming when you’re struggling with binge eating disorder in Denver, Colorado. I’d recommend working with your eating disorder dietitian or eating disorder therapist to come up with a plan to schedule your meals and snacks when you’re going to a restaurant-heavy location.
Begin Working with a Binge Eating Coach via an Online Binge Eating Program.
❄️ Sign up for the ELITE BINGE EATING RECOVERY METHOD*. It’s a 3-month, online binge eating program for professionals, students, athletes, and all-around high achievers who just want to gain balance and control of food. The Initial Assessment and Onboarding Calls begin November 14th, 2022.
❄️ Check out my Instagram LIVES on Thursdays from 12-1p PST (3-4p EST) . I have conversations with professionals such as eating disorder dietitians and therapists on many topics, such as binge eating, BED, bulimia, body image, etc. Subscribe to my Instagram @drmariannemiller, and you’ll get bulimia and BED info sent to your phone with my reels, posts, etc.
❄️ Login to my “Eating Disorder Tuesday Talks with Dr. Marianne Miller” on LinkedIn from 12p-12:15p PST (3-3:15p EST). In these short videos, I’ll share one Takeaway Tip and answer questions from readers like you! Connect with me on LinkedIn, and you’ll receive up-to-date eating disorder information, especially on binge eating and binge/purge behaviors.
*The ELITE BINGE EATING RECOVERY METHOD is virtual binge eating education and coaching support. The goal for this program is to help people stop any type of distressed eating, such as binge eating or binge/purge behaviors via education, behavioral changes, and mindset shifts. The ELITE BINGE EATING RECOVERY METHOD is not a clinical eating disorder therapy or eating disorder treatment programs and is not intended to serve as such. In them, Dr. Marianne Miller works from her role as a binge eating coach, not as a binge eating therapist.