Many people who have bulimia nervosa (but not all, of course) employ compulsive exercise as a purging mechanism, and that may make exercise something they are wary of during their recovery. Because of this, movement may often be overlooked as an effective component of bulimia nervosa recovery programs. 

It may seem dangerous to introduce movement practices into an eating disorder treatment program for people who compulsively exercise, but in almost every case, treatment centers include them in their program. In fact, research has indicated that the reconnection with movement and their bodies boosts the speed and effectiveness of their recovery. For those individuals who have faced health consequences due to malnutrition, mindful movement also provides a chance to improve the overall health during recovery. Exercise may also reverse heart abnormalities in people who have had bulimia nervosa for a long time, as well as increase muscle strength and improve the overall quality of life.

How Is Mindful Movement Different from Exercise?

Exercise is strenuous, repeated physical activity that is undertaken to increase strength, lose weight, and promote endurance. It’s fundamental to a person’s overall health and the functioning of the heart, lungs, and brain, but for people with eating disorders, it can become an obsession and ultimately detrimental to their health.

Mindful movement is different from “exercise.” It’s emphatically not about endurance, burning calories, and or losing weight – all of which can be harmful to a person in bulimia nervosa recovery. Instead, mindful movement practiced at eating disorder treatment centers is focused on movements that connect the body and mind, increasing self-awareness and a sense of being “in the moment.”

What Kinds of Activities Are Considered Mindful Movement?

One of the most prominent forms of mindful movement is the ancient practice of yoga. Yoga enhances mindfulness by facilitating awareness of emotions and thoughts arising from the adoption of different poses. Stretching the body and focusing on breathing help people understand that the way they move is related to the way they feel. This "mindfulness" is very helpful in helping recovering individuals understand that some of their thoughts and behaviors are actually distorted – the first step to eliminating those behaviors.  

While yoga is considered standard practice at most bulimia nervosa treatment centers, it's not the only form of low-impact mindful movement available. Slow-paced walks, often in naturally beautiful settings can clear the mind and provide the same kind of self-awareness promoted by yoga. Some forms of individual stretching or martial arts, like tai chi, are also useful mindful movement practices. 

Signs and Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa

In addition to outwards signs of bulimia nervosa (binge-eating episodes followed by purging, weight loss, recurring illnesses, abusing laxatives and diuretics), people with bulimia nervosa also suffer from fears, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors that center on food, eating, and weight loss. There is usually a distorted body image (known as body dysmorphia), frequent complaints about their weight and appearance, phobic fear of gaining weight, and a feeling of losing control of their actions. These symptoms are treated through a combination of therapeutic techniques, and mindful movement can be a big part of it.

When to Seek Help at a Bulimia Nervosa Treatment Center

The frequent and repeated purging and binge eating episodes associated with bulimia nervosa, as well as the accompanying psychological symptoms ultimately, present a very real and serious health risk. Many people with bulimia nervosa are hesitant to attend an eating disorder treatment center– their disorder becomes something akin to an addiction. However, there is help available, both in the form of intervention and through various in-house therapeutic techniques. In addition to cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, nutritional counseling, and group/individual therapy, a bulimia nervosa recovery plan may include meditation techniques and mindful movement exercises like yoga and nature walks.

Mindful movement therapy will also help patients cope with depression, anxiety, and deeply entrenched beliefs about their desire to always be "perfect”. As an integral component of any eating disorder recovery program, mindful movement represents a newer wave of holistic therapies proving to be both successful and enjoyable by people recovering from bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other eating disorders.