food for comfort

hmjack1561
hmjack1561 Posts: 17 Member
in Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
Just an insight, I read some phycological advice to help people calm down get them to eat. I think my mother did this when i was a child and teen. I learned to go to food to feel calm. I still do this. Emotional eating when ever I am angry or nervous, feeling anxious.
My primary Care Doctor calls this self medicating. I am looking for ways to not self medicate, but feel and process those emotions in a healthier way.

Replies

  • MovinNow
    MovinNow Posts: 133 Member
    Hi @hmjack1561 I totally relate to this. Growing up, my family ate to celebrate ; we ate when we were sad; we ate when we were bored. Ot tired or angry. All of the above. And we ate way behind feeling full, to where we were absolutely stuffed. I find myself still lapsing into this pattern when stress is high, but learning to tell myself that overeating does not make me feel better, but actually worse. Some”cognitive behavioral therapy” techniques, where actively changing how you think about something can change how you feel, and change those behaviors. If you can see a therapist through work (medical insurance? Or Some employers have Employee assistance programs that can help get you started). Or there are some online now too. Ask your Dr for a referral. Praying for you and the many others among us suffering with this.
  • hmjack1561
    hmjack1561 Posts: 17 Member
    Thank you for your kind support Movinnow !
  • LoganBennett715
    LoganBennett715 Posts: 61 Member
    Comfort food is a type of food that evokes nostalgia or sentimentality, characterized by being high in calories and reminiscent of childhood or home cooking. Nostalgia can be personal or culturally specific.
  • edamamewebber
    edamamewebber Posts: 24 Member
    Emotional eating: I do this!!! I had always gone to chips and salsa for my comfort food. I've switched to carrots/celery and salsa or shredded cabbage with homemade lemon tahini dressing. If I'd overeaten celery/carrots/cabbage, I don't think I'd be in the condition I am now.
  • LoganBennett715
    LoganBennett715 Posts: 61 Member
    You could also have salads with Ranch or Chipotle, they are the best when it comes to the salad dressing. You must check it out.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,598 Member
    hmjack1561 wrote: »
    Just an insight, I read some phycological advice to help people calm down get them to eat. I think my mother did this when i was a child and teen. I learned to go to food to feel calm. I still do this. Emotional eating when ever I am angry or nervous, feeling anxious.
    My primary Care Doctor calls this self medicating. I am looking for ways to not self medicate, but feel and process those emotions in a healthier way.

    Some things people use to self-soothe include prayer or meditation, yoga or stretching, other mild exercise, breathing exercises, warm shower or bubble bath, calming/engaging music, adult coloring books, journaling, creative (self-expressive) arts (non-judgementally, just to enjoy the process of releasing emotions that way), being in the outdoors, playing or cuddling with children or pets, audio or video affirmations, or just sitting with the emotions and exploring them without judgement. That's a sample, not a totally inclusive list.

    Some of those might be anxiety-provoking activities for you, even though soothing for others. I'm just trying to give you some potential things to consider so you can brainstorm some things to try, to see what helps you.

    I agree with a PP above, that if the issue is complex and difficult, it's a great idea to consult a professional. There should be no more stigma about consulting a counselor about trouble with thought patterns than there is about consulting a mechanic when there's trouble with the car. That's why those folks exist.

    Best wishes!

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