Have you ever intended to eat a piece of ice cream but ended up eating out the whole box of ice cream? Or, you opened a bag of French fries just to eat a few slices but then ate the whole package? Or in a depressed mood, do you find that eating is a way to give you a feeling of comfort and ease?
This type of eating is often called eating on emotions. While it can give you a certain amount of satisfaction at the time, it can be a disaster for you in the long run.
At times when there are negative emotions that are difficult to resolve such as sadness, anxiety, fear, stress, anger, loneliness... many people will crave food. The cause of this comes deeply from the biological mechanisms of our bodies.
Our bodies start producing a hormone called cortisol when we feel anxious or uncomfortable. This hormone tends to make us crave sugary, fatty or salty foods.
Regularly using food as a source of mental support can lead to many health-related problems. It can increase the risk of serious diseases in the body such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, fatigue, etc.
Eating emotionally often makes individuals feel regretful after eating. The feeling of remorse is often accompanied by a series of negative emotions such as feeling helpless, irritable, disappointed... This process becomes an endless loop, where eating based on emotions becomes the main coping mechanism for the individual.
Here are some ways to help a person feel more resilient and emotional and avoid abusing food for relaxation.
Exercise your body a little every day
Participating in physical activities can help release positive hormones such as endorphins, which are known to reduce feelings of stress or anxiety.
Any form of daily physical exercise creates an escape from your emotions and helps eliminate any emotional buildup.
talk positively, seek support
Positive talking can address many emotional fluctuations and hunger.
When you are in a bad mood, you should seek support from relatives, friends... instead of isolating yourself. Confiding in loved ones can help you overcome stress. In addition, you can contact a mental health professional to learn ways to help you deal with your emotions.
