Alternative Therapies For Emotional Overeating!
Alternative Therapies For Emotional Overeating!
Emotional Overeating:
Emotional overeating can make a person feel imprisoned – it can seem like there is no way out of the cycle of feeling sad, angry, anxious, and so forth, and then eating to alleviate the emotional pain.
There are treatments that are available, though – some of the conventional and some of the alternative Conventional therapy, surgery, and medication have all been utilized at one time or another for the treatment of emotional overeating. There are, however, some alternative therapies that are worth exploring.
Emotional Overeating Causes:
Emotional overeating disorders can be difficult and devastating for those who suffer from them. What makes this happen? Why is it that some people, knowingly or unknowingly, turn to food for comfort? Here are some thoughts and ideas on those questions.
At the core, Emotional overeating disorder is a general term that refers to any of various eating habits where genuine hunger is not the motivational factor. It is more common among women than men, but men are not immune – especially young men in their teens and twenties. Those who suffer from this disorder associate food with emotional comfort, and will turn to eat to escape negative feelings.
Several Causes of Emotional Overeating:
1. Past Trauma:
For some with emotional overeating disorder, the problem stems from past traumatic events. Someone who suffered sexual abuse, for example or some other kind of sexual trauma may overeat in response to feelings of anxiety and confusion.
The result is a fatter body, which some sources suggest may cause the sufferer to feel “protected” from being attractive to the opposite sex. Subconsciously or consciously, the sufferer wants to be unattractive. Other examples of past trauma or unmet needs may cause a person to turn to emotional overeating.
2. Poor Self-Image:
People who suffer from low self-esteem and a negative self-image may seek escape by overeating. In a way, emotional overeating is a physical expression of what the sufferer feels inside, and the resulting weight projects the same image of self-disrespect.
3. Self-Medication:
Like alcoholics, those who struggle with emotional overeating may be unconsciously using food as a drug. Eating numbs or dulls the emotions that might be too hard to deal with otherwise.
4. Depression:
Studies indicate a strong correlation between depression and emotional overeating. Ironically, sometimes as depression grows worse a sufferer loses weight; weight loss means the sufferer is not eating as much, and therefore not engaging in his or her coping mechanism.
5. Stress:
- Again, Prolonged, unrelieved stress can have a profound effect on the body.
- Stress stimulates the body to produce, among other chemicals, the hormone cortisol.
- Cortisol apparently has a hunger-stimulating effect, and as the stressful emotions increase along with the cortisol, a cycle of emotional eating can play out.
Identify Your Triggers:
Emotional overeating is usually triggered by something – emotions, yes, but sometimes we need to be more specific than that. Identifying your personal triggers can go a long way toward helping you overcome the disorder that is not necessarily in the categories above. Some examples might be:
I. Emotional:
Eating to relieve boredom, stress, or anxiety or as a way to overcome relationship problems
II. Psychological:
You may eat in response to negative, self-destructive thoughts.
III. Environmental – Situational:
You may eat simply because the opportunity is there. Also in this category is the habit of eating while doing another activity, such as reading or watching TV.
Now that we have covered what exactly emotional eating is and how it can be causing stress, weight gain, and miserable life. The next part will be looking at how we can overcome this disorder and start living a stress-free, healthy life. Let’s get into it
Here’re the Best Alternative Therapies For Emotional Overeating:
When you think of stopping emotional overeating, does it seem like an impossible goal? Many people who suffer from this problem feel imprisoned and helpless. It can seem like you are unable to break free from the overwhelming emotions and habits.
Being honest with yourself is an important first step. Emotional overeaters tend to judge themselves pretty harshly, but don’t – you’re not an isolated case or some kind of freak. It’s a sign of strength to seek help! It means you’ve identified the problem.
If you’re struggling with this problem, there are some things you can do to get things under control.
1. Hypnosis:
Because emotional overeating begins in the mind, hypnosis is said to be effective because it addresses the mind directly with the power of suggestion. Hypnosis is not the mumbo-jumbo stuff of cartoons and swinging pocket watches; it’s a clinical practice and many practitioners have used it with success to treat emotional overeating.
2. Meditation:
- The intent of meditation as a treatment for emotional overeating is to “tune in” to the emotional thought center that is driving your cravings and/or binge eating.
- Meditation, sometimes taking a form called “mindfulness,” is the opposite of mindLESSness, which is what often happens in emotional overeating.
- The person does not really think about what he or she is doing; it’s mindless eating.
3. Herbal Supplements:
It seems like every time you turn around there’s a new herbal supplement promising to help you lose weight. But there are some herbs that can help with the issue of emotional overeating.
Here are some of them:
A. Hoodia:
This much-publicized herb is said to be effective at appetite suppression and boosting energy. Its effects tend to be subtle, and it also has a good safety record.
B. Vitex:
This hormone-balancing herb for women may help those whose emotional overeating is influenced by hormone fluctuations.
C. Ginseng:
This ancient herb is said to help sugar cravings and curb the compulsion to overeat in response to one’s emotions. Both American and Asian ginseng are purported to be equally effective.
4. Acupuncture:
Acupuncturists are often asked if acupuncture can help with weight loss. The answer, in general, is yes – but not always. However, the good news is that acupuncture tends to be more successful in treating emotional overeating than just overeating.
This may be due to acupuncture’s alleged ability to release endorphins and boost metabolism – making the client feel better emotionally, effectively curtailing the emotional overeating.
5. Nutrition:
As we’ve covered, having the right balance of vitamins and minerals may affect emotional overeating – it’s not too much of a stretch to speculate that nutritional deficiencies could play a part in this kind of overeating.
- So make sure you’re not eating a lot of artificial, processed, pre-packaged foods; opt for fresh, whole foods as a general rule.
- It’s also a good idea to take a vitamin and mineral supplement that is formulated for your gender and life situation.
If you find this article useful, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family, as you might help someone in need. Thanks.
Disclaimer: “Nothing in this article makes any claim to offer cures or treatment for any disease or illness. If you are sick please consult with your doctor.”
Sources
Excellent nutrition is the basis of a healthy Lifestyle!
Liked the article? Share the love!
