Emotional Eating

Emotional Eating

I recently got a new patient in my office.  She is a pleasant but obese young woman.  She stated that her weight was normal until about a year ago when she began to “emotionally eat”.  This was a term I had heard before. but I decided to learn more.

According to a 2014 survey by the American Psychological Association, 27 percent of adults say they eat to manage stress (and those are just the ones who admit it!). Sound like you? It’s time to end your destructive relationship with food. Use these tips to break up and never go back.
Slow Down
Emotional eating often starts with frantic, rapid thoughts. However, cooler heads (and happier hips) can prevail, when you simply press pause. Next time you feel the urge to overeat, set a timer for five minutes and take a break. Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Ask yourself, “What do I really need right now?” You may discover that food is a default for a real remedy, like a nap or a moment of silence. This exercise also helps connect your urges to eat with your emotions — crucial for a successful breakup.
Prevent the Trigger
Most habits follow a trigger-response-reward sequence. While it’s key to address your response (see the tip above!), it’s even smarter to impact the trigger. How? Be proactive. If working long hours is an emotional eating trigger, consider what you can do to prevent feeling overwhelmed before it happens. Maybe just focus on your top two or three priorities, ask for more help, or leave earlier. Prevention should be your first treatment option.
Fix Fattening Relationships
Here at Chiropractic Lane we have this to say about relationships: “never let another person, place, or thing be the source of your emotional highs and lows”.  

People often give their family and friends permission to drag them down—as if those closest to you are allowed to hurt or criticize you. But it’s important to set boundaries for everyone, manage their expectations, and speak your mind. And don’t be afraid to let go, or love from afar. There’s nothing more delicious (and slenderizing) than nourishing your spirit.

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