What is customized Jenga?
Traditional Jenga is a game consisting of a tower of 54 blocks where each person takes a block, puts it back on top of the tower and tries not to have the tower tumble. In our customized Jenga we added conversation starters to each block.This is a fun spin on a popular game that gets even the quietest people talking.
Personalized Jenga set
This DIY Personalized Jenga set can be adapted to any team building activity or support group by adjusting the prompts on each block.
DIY Jenga and Eating Disorder Recovery
How can you take a new spin on eating disorder recovery?
We do our best to make sure that each group has a fun activity included. Here is what we did during our last support group meeting.
We took the game Jenga where you stack wooden blocks to make the highest tower possible.
The customized Jenga game is a definite hit.
So, what makes our Customized Jenga game recovery oriented?
Well, take a close look at the blocks and you can see all kinds of recovery inspired quotes, facts and thought provoking questions! For instance: Tell me a time when you were not so judgmental of yourself. Do you have a hobby or activity you feel fully immersed in? If so, what is it? How do you like to spend a rainy day? What is the next right thing and what would that look like? What are two things you can do during meals and a healthy distraction? What is one thing you will not miss about your eating disorder?
We had a blast playing it and will definitely make this a regular activity because we only got through a fraction of the questions before the JENGA tower tumbled. We also decided that everyone could answer each question to make it more interesting and interactive to all!
Here are the Customized Jenga questions we use:
1. What is one thing you have done today to support recovery
2. What is your biggest fear food
3. Favorite childhood memory around food
4. What is one thing your ED is doing to help make you feel safe
5. Two things you have done this week to sabotage your recovery
6. Who is your biggest support in your ED
7. One thing you wont miss about your ED
8. Your favorite personality trait
9. Favorite body part
10. Hunger scale 1 to 10 (show scale to them)
11. Normal digestion takes 25 minutes. How long do you think an eating disorder can prolong digestion? (answer 2 to 3 times longer)
12. How does malnutrition impact mood?
13. Name the fat-soluble vitamins
14. Three functions of fat:
15. Eating disorders can lower our metabolism by 40%. What do you think about that?
16. Favorite food I used to eat at least once a week…
17. Who is one person in your life who has a healthy relationship with their body and food?
18. Three components to a meal, we refer to as shirt, pants and shoes? (answer is fat, carbs, protein)
19. Tell me about a time when you were not so judgmental towards yourself?
20. One food rule you feel like you have to follow
21. Name the 5 senses… What is something soothing you could do with each sense to decrease your anxiety (give them example if they need it)
22. What is one thing your ED has had you do today that you have kept a secret? Can you tattle on your ED right now and share?
23. True or False: Three side effects of malnutrition are difficulty sleeping, lowered body temp, and poor memory
24. Name 2 Red Flags that your friends or family may notice when you are struggling more
25. What are 2 things you can do during meals as healthy distraction
26. Watch one video from forms page on body positivity/recovery
27. Look together at Alternate Rebellion Handout and pick 2 things you can try this week
28. Three things on your bucket list
29. Do you have a hobby or activity that you feel fully immersed in? If so…what and why?
30. Is there one thought that constantly nags at you?
31. What does recovery mean to you?
32. What is your favorite childhood memory?
33. What makes you happy?
34. What was the best part of your day today?
35. If you had to describe yourself using three words, it would be…
36. Are you a morning or night person?
37. Which person in your life do you most admire and why?
38. How do you like to spend a rainy day?
39. What is the best vacation you have ever had?
40. “Comparison is the thief of joy” What do you think about that?
41. Through 45 : Ask the Registered Dietitian (RD) something?
These are the most fun, our clients definitely want to make sure that they pick the block where they can ask the RD a question. It is fascinating to hear the questions that our clients ask! Definitely an opportunity for learning and laughter with these questions.
46. “You cant appreciate the good days without the bad ones”
47. Do the next right thing. What would that look like today?
48. “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today”
49. “Promote what you love rather than bashing what you hate”
50. “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new”
51. I give myself permission to ________ for today.
52. Compliment your Jenga partner and accept a compliment from them
53. Name one way your relationship with food is negatively impacting your life
54. What is one thing you would say to your younger self?]
Support Group activities
Another activity of ours is showing and discussing this video: Best Eating Disorder Recovery Analogy The Log
This blog also gives lots to talk about in terms of Meal Support Tips for Families
What kinds of activities have you done in support groups that have been both fun and healing?
We have a wide variety of support groups, workshops and classes both in our 4 locations in Maryland and virtually.
Please reach out to us for more information and take a look at this webpage.
Request a Consultation
Rebecca Bitzer loves to empower Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and their clients. Co-author of Welcome to the Rebelution: Seven steps to the nutrition counseling practice of your dreams and Taste the Sweet Rebellion: Rebel against dieting.
