Emotions and our Eating Habits

We know that when we are stressed we could be more likely to reach for comfort foods and/or overeat if we don’t find other ways to address our emotions.

But, why do we feel like “eating our emotions” in the first place? And what can we do to break the cycle?

 

The Role of Emotions

Dr David Simon is the CEO, cofounder, and medical director of The Chopra Center in California USA. Here, he explains how important it is that we recognise the connection between emotion and our eating habits.

“Our emotions play an essential role in our eating habits. We learned early in life how putting something in our mouths soothed upset feelings. Whether it was a breast, a bottle, a pacifier, or a thumb, all of us were conditioned to associate our mouths with comfort. It's not surprising that adults under stress resort to smoking, drinking, or excessive eating. In addition, when we experience stress, our bodies release hormones that cause us to conserve energy, and recent studies have shown that disturbed sleep patterns associated with stress increase levels of hormones responsible for appetite.”

Recognising the difference between Emotional Hunger and Physical Hunger

According to the University of Texas Counseling and Mental Health Center’s web site, these are the keys:

1.    Continue reading below...

1.    Emotional hunger comes on suddenly; physical hunger occurs gradually.

2.    When you are eating to fill a void that isn't related to an empty stomach, you crave a specific food, such as pizza or ice cream, and only that food will meet your need. When you eat because you are actually hungry, you're open to options.

3.    Emotional hunger feels like it needs to be satisfied instantly with the food you crave; physical hunger can wait.

4.    Even when you are full, if you're eating to satisfy an emotional need, you're more likely to keep eating. When you're eating because you're hungry, you're more likely to stop when you're full.

5.    Emotional eating can leave behind feelings of guilt; eating when you are physically hungry does not.

 

Becoming in Tune with our Habits

Dr Simon David goes on to suggest some ways in which we can become more in tune with our emotions and eating habits.

 

1.    Practice meditation to manage your stress.

2.    Exercise regularly.

3.    Eat the six tastes at every meal, ensuring that you have spicy and bitter foods to stimulate metabolism.

4.    Honour your appetite, eating only when you are hungry. Stop eating when you're comfortable, not when you're stuffed.

5.    Learn conscious communication skills to meet your emotional needs.

6.    Drink ginger tea before each meal.

 

What other things can you think of to minimise the stress in your life?

 

 

Back to School!

February is Kids’ Month at PCC!!

To coincide with the return to school, we thought we’d focus on some issues regarding our kids’ health as we head into another school year.
Firstly, we are looking at how we can help our children (and ourselves!) emotionally when we return to school after the break.

Speak positively about the school holidays

We know that as parents you are excited about school starting back as you return to routines and don’t have to keep the kids entertained all day! ;) There are bound to be times in the holidays that you haven’t felt like the best parent or your children have driven you crazy! Try and let go of thinking of those times and as the holidays come to an end, have a chat to find out what your kids liked most about the holidays and share what you enjoyed too. Telling them positive things about their time at home with you reminds them that although you’ve been fed up sometimes, they haven’t been pests the whole time!

Listen

Have you ever heard your child say something like “I don’t want to go back to school! I hate school!” Yep, most kids say this as the start of term looms near. And, it may well be that they’re just grumpy about not being able to sleep in anymore. Or they could be concerned about who their teacher is. One way we can respond is to say “You’ll be alright; you’ll see all of your friends again!” or “Why don’t you like school? You’ve got it so easy!” When we say this, what your child might think is that you haven’t listened and are just palming him off.

Instead, another way to respond is to sympathise (without going overboard) and let your child know that you have heard them and that you acknowledge it is hard to go back after a long time off. Something like “Yeah, it’s hard to get back into routine and not be able to sleep in anymore, isn’t it?” or “You’ve enjoyed running in bare feet all summer, it’ll feel weird to wear shoes and socks again, won’t it?” After all, adults feel that way after a holiday too!

When we respond to children this way, two things happen: Firstly, they feel like we have listened to what they’ve said. And secondly, if there is a real issue with school that they are concerned with, a conversation has been started, making them feel more inclined to open up about exactly what it is they are worried about.

Ease yourselves into it.

After a long break, it’s very hard to automatically jump back into our old routines. Go easy on the after-school activities and extra things on the weekends at first, particularly if your children are young. As a parent, you will also need time to adjust and get used to packing lunches and running here and there. Taking time to relax and reward yourself after having the kids at home with you and juggling work and childcare could be just what you need to get the term off to a great start.

Rhonda Mackay


*Rhonda is a writer and mother of 2 girls. She has a special interest in emotional health and enjoys both the laziness of the school holidays and the peace of the school term in equal amounts! ;)

 

 

 

Happy Christmas!!

From all of us here at Penshurst Chiropractic Centre we wish you a very Happy Christmas and a safe and healthy 2014!

We look forward to helping you meet your health goals next year!

With love,

Alisa, Chris and Terri-Ann

 

'Tis the Season!

With the Christmas season well and truly upon us, it can be easy for us to become panicked, stressed and just plain worn out at this time of year.

The role that our emotional health plays in our wellbeing cannot be underestimated. If you are stressed your body may respond with feeling tired or you may be short tempered or irritable around loved ones.

So what are some ways in which we can look after our emotional health during this busy time of year?

1.    Breathe deeply – not only does deep breathing feel good and encourages us to calm down, it increases the oxygen flow to the brain, heart and other major organs. This enables our bodies to cope with increases in stress and maintain good function during busy times. Taking a few moments throughout the day to stop and breathe deeply can help focus our attention on any muscles that may need relaxing and also stop our minds from racing.

2.    Look around – take time to notice how your mood may impact on others in your family. Perhaps your young children are showing signs of being irritable? Could it be that they are feeling the effects of your stress? Perhaps a cuddle on the lounge or a tickle fight could dispel some of the stress and keep you and the kids connected. And we all know that children are far more compliant when they are happy and relaxed! 

3.    Is it too much? – are you putting unnecessary expectations on yourself for that “perfect” Christmas? Does it really matter if the serviettes don’t exactly match the table setting? Do you need to spend hours looking for the perfect gift for Aunty Joan or would a book voucher be just as appreciated? Take time to revaluate the things that matter most to you at this time of year.

4.    Be thankful – think of the North American tradition of Thanksgiving which is traditionally used to celebrate the blessing of a bountiful harvest of the previous year. We can use this season of Christmas to look back on our year and be thankful for the blessings we have had. Perhaps you could spend some time during your family Christmas meal telling each other about those blessings and what you are looking forward to in the year ahead.

How are you handling the emotional strain of the season? Do you have any strategies that work well for you?