Welcome Friends!
Hi there, beautiful souls! I’ve been wanting to get real with you about an issue that’s affected me personally since, quite frankly, forever. Today we’re diving deep into a topic that many of us struggle with but not many discuss openly – emotional eating and its impact on weight. So, grab your favorite cup of tea (or coffee) and let’s chat it out.
The Torment of Emotional Eating
Remember that time after the mother of all bad breakups, you found yourself wrist-deep in a tub of Ben & Jerry’s at 2 AM, sobbing over reruns of ‘Friends’? Boy, I remember mine, and the morning-after guilt was worse than the heartache itself. The reality is, we often reach for comfort food when we’re dealing with intense emotions. According to studies done by Harvard Medical School, emotional eating can seriously impact not just your weight, but your overall physical health
[1].
What’s the Science Behind This?
Well, here’s the scoop. When we feel intense emotions, our body reacts by releasing hormones. For example, the stress hormone cortisol triggers cravings for salty, sweet, and high-fat foods because they stimulate the brain to release pleasure hormones and reduce tension. Essentially it’s a body’s coping mechanism gone awry
[2].
My Personal Battle
Personally, my emotional eating was most severe during my college years. Late-night study sessions turned into nacho parties, and heartbreak turned into an extravaganza of chocolate ice cream and greasy junk food. I quickly began to see it reflect on my weight, energy levels, and overall mood. It was a vicious cycle! But acknowledging the problem was my first step towards overcoming it… and it can be yours too.
How Can We Navigate It?
From personal experience, and after sifting through mountains of research, here are some steps that can help you navigate emotional eating:
- Identify emotional eating triggers: Notice when you’re reaching for snacks as a comfort measure rather than actual hunger. By noting your emotional triggers, you can begin to develop healthier strategies to cope with them [3].
- Explore healthy coping mechanisms: Instead of binge eating, try yoga, meditation, painting, or any other relaxing hobby that gives you joy.
- Seek professional help: If the emotional eating is significantly affecting your health, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. There are several behavioral therapies that can help you regain control of your eating habits [4].
Final Thoughts
Remember sweethearts, it’s perfectly okay to struggle and have bad days. But emotional eating doesn’t have to be your reality. From someone who’s stood there, know you’re stronger than your cravings. It’s a journey, but you’re not alone. Let’s lean on each other and be our healthiest, happiest selves.
References
[1] Harvard Health Publishing. (2019). Why stress causes people to overeat. Retrieved from
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-stress-causes-people-to-overeat
[2] WebMD. (n.d.). Stress and Eating. Retrieved from
https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/stress-weight-gain#1
[3] Verywell Mind. (2020). 6 Common Triggers for Emotional Eating and How to Counteract Them. Retrieved from
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-recognize-and-overcome-emotional-eating-triggers-4154287
[4] Psychology Today. (2020). Therapy for Binge Eating Disorder. Retrieved from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/therapy-for-binge-eating-disorder
