“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
~ Lao Tau
Emotional eating and the inability to sit with uncomfortable feelings are two things that are about as fun as a root canal, am I right? As someone who has struggled with emotional eating in the past, I know firsthand how tempting it can be to reach for that pint of ice cream or bag of chips when we’re feeling sad, stressed, or just plain uncomfortable. But why is it that we turn to food when we’re feeling uneasy?
Clients always ask me why is that you turn to food when you’re feeling uneasy? Well, for starters, it’s important to understand that your emotions are just feelings, not facts. They’re not good or bad, they just are. And when you’re feeling something that you don’t like – whether it’s sadness, anger, or anxiety – it can be really uncomfortable. We want to make it go away, and fast.
Enter emotional eating. Eating can provide a temporary distraction from your uncomfortable feelings. It gives you something else to focus on, even if it’s just for a little while. And when you eat certain foods, like sugar or carbs, your brain releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine, which can make you feel better in the moment.
But here’s the thing to remember: emotional eating is a temporary fix, at best. It doesn’t actually solve the underlying problem, which is our discomfort with uncomfortable feelings. And the more you rely on food to cope with your emotions, the harder it can be to sit with those feelings in the future.
Breaking the Cycle of Emotional Eating
So, how can you break the cycle of emotional eating and learn to sit with uncomfortable feelings? Well, here are a few suggestions I share with clients:
1. Get curious about your feelings: When you’re feeling uncomfortable, try to approach it with curiosity rather than judgment. Ask yourself, “what am I feeling right now?” and “why am I feeling this way?” Try to explore your emotions without judging yourself for having them.
2. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment, without judgment. When you’re feeling uncomfortable, try to focus on your breath or the sensations in your body. Be a witness or an observer to your feelings, but try not to get caught up in them.
3. Find other ways to cope: Instead of reaching for food, try finding other ways to be with your emotions. This could be anything from going for a walk, to journaling, to talking to a friend. I help my clients discover what this could be for them. The key is to find something that works for you and helps you feel better without relying on food.
4. Give yourself permission to feel: This is a big one. It’s okay to feel uncomfortable sometimes. In fact, it’s completely normal. Give yourself permission to feel whatever it is you’re feeling, without judging yourself for it.
5. Practice self-compassion: Finally, be kind to yourself. Emotional eating is a hard habit to break, and it’s not something that will happen overnight. Be patient with yourself, and remind yourself that you’re doing the best you can.
Wrapping Up
Now, I know that all of this is easier said than done. Sitting with your uncomfortable feelings is tough. But, it’s also incredibly important if we want to live a happy, healthy life. So, let’s all take a nice, deep breath and remember that we’re all in this together. And if you continue to practice these suggestive tips, things will get better.
By the way, this is part of a series, so please stay tuned for upcoming blog posts as I break each of these five suggestions down into bite size pieces (thankfully, these are calorie-free 😉). If you can’t wait until the next blog post and want some immediate help with one of these suggestions, please schedule your free 30-minute one-on-one coaching call with me here. We’ll get to the bottom of your feelings fast.
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