Do you eat more when you're feeling stressed, or angry, or bored? Maybe you use food to feel better when you're sad or anxious, or do you feel powerless and out of control around food? Does food feel like a friend, calming you and making you feel safe, or do you turn to the fridge even when you're not hungry for a little boost or reward?
If any of this rings a bell, you're an emotional eater - and you're not alone. According to researchers at the University of Maryland, 75 per cent of overeating is caused by emotions, but often the connection goes unnoticed, preventing us from expressing and managing our feelings, and leading to unhealthy habits and a sense of powerlessness.
We forget that our food choices sometimes defy logic, common sense, and willpower and, instead, are driven by a much greater need for comfort. After all, from the moment you entered this world and found solace in your mother's milk, food has held a profound significance as a symbol of connection and nourishment.
Yet, relying on food as your primary coping mechanism for emotional distress such as anger, stress, loneliness, or exhaustion, can lead to an unhealthy cycle of poor nutrition and binge eating, where underlying issues remain unresolved.
By understanding the roots of emotional eating, and adopting effective strategies, you can break free from this cycle and reclaim control over your relationship with food and your emotions.
Emma Randall, a nutritional consultant and one of the UK's leading voices in mindful eating, says: "The problem with emotional eating is that it doesn't solve problems. Emotional eating can actually make us feel worse, due to feelings of guilt and shame around what has just been eaten.' She suggests starting a new conversation with yourself when you overeat. 'Rather than saying unhelpful things like, "I'm greedy", or "I'm out of control", you can work towards figuring out the deeper reasons.
This story is from the October 2023 edition of Psychologies UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2023 edition of Psychologies UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
"Imposter syndrome is super healthy"
Television and radio presenter Claudia Winkleman talks to Psychologies about taking wellness seriously in her 50s, the power of a good nap, and why she’ll never wear a sports bra
Anna Williamson - A date with destiny
Top of the month to you, dear readers! As we ease into the autumn months, many of us looking for love find ourselves dusting off the lazy summer vibes and embracing the opportunity that the colder months can bring. The latter part of the year is always fuelled with a fizz of anticipation, with the changing seasons, cosy evenings drawing in, and impending festivities. It can be the perfect time to ignite the passion for getting out and about and meeting people, in the hope of having fun and finding love.
How to be happier
Emma Hepburn, aka The Psychology Mum, shares how to bring more bliss into your life
SING FOR YOUR LIFE! SOMEWHERE IN MY MEMORY...
In this month's column, musician James Sills explores the songs we sing at Christmas, and how they help us to connect with our past and present
'Twas the night before Christmas...
Whether or not you choose to buy into the Santa myth, we can all believe in the positive messaging the man in red has come to represent, discovers Yasmina Floyer
Winter Walks
Savour this season of solitude and stillness, and take a mindful moment, says Yasmina Floyer
Bit of a stretch EXCUSES, EXCUSES
Hollywood child actress Rachel Hurd-Wood swapped the red carpet for a yoga mat in her new life as a Pilates teacher and mum of two
Anna Williamson Pass the mistletoe!
The smell of cinnamon, tinsel, and panic is in the air! Every year, Christmas seems to descend upon us with as much urgency and pressure as poor ol' Santa himself must feel every 24 December. And whether you are in a relationship, or you are wishing you were, Christmas is undoubtedly a particularly testing time for our love lives.
Tackling Christmas CONFLICT
In the season of peace and goodwill to all, bring back the balance and learn to look after yourself as well as others
A new kind of Christmas
If 'Embracing Christmas 2.0' has struck a chord with you, discover how author Veronica Henry created her own new-look Christmas...