Today is the last day of National Eating Disorder Awareness week. According to the National Eating Disorder Association website, 30 million Americans will struggle with a full-blown eating disorder and millions more will battle food and body image issues that will have untold impacts.

Whether or not you realize it, someone in your life has struggled, is currently struggling or will struggle with an eating disorder, full-blown or mild but impactful.

Maybe you’re struggling with eating issues yourself; if you are, you might not even fully be aware of the fact that you are. Eating disorders will somehow have an impact on your life and no matter how it happens, eating disorders are prevalent and dangerous.

Whether you’re struggling with an eating disorder, you have struggled with one or someone you know has or is currently struggling with an eating disorder, just know: you are not alone and you can get through this. Please don’t be afraid to reach out for help; please don’t be afraid to help your friends reach out for help. NEDA has a helpline you can call at (800) 931 – 2237 and even offers a click to chat or text line; details can be found at https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline.

While eating disorders are quite a heavy subject, I’ve chosen to try and bring some light and joy to the awareness movement through music. I’ve chosen to center this Jasper Jams playlist around songs that encourage you to love yourself and your body. Some of these songs have been inspired by eating disorders, body image issues, issues with the media or other important struggles the artists have gone through; others just carry a message of loving yourself and doing so with confidence.

May these songs help you feel good about yourself when you’re having a bad day, getting ready to go out, getting ready to face a regular day, when you need help picking yourself up from a bad mood or when you just need to celebrate yourself (which you should 100% do).