When it is our emotions that drive us to eat
We do not always eat out of true hunger and almost never stop when we are full. We often eat for other reasons, such as presence and availability of food or because we are in company and other people that are eating.
Much more often, however, we find ourselves eating to soothe tension,
anxiety, or simply out of boredom.
In this case, then, it is mostly our emotions that govern and drive “hunger”, a hunger that is no longer physiological, but rather a “compensation” that leads us to run away and avoid 3 simple questions: “How do I feel?” “Why am I like this?”, and, most importantly, “What can I do in order to feel better?”
We are accustomed to “buffering” our discomfort (of whatever nature it is) with food in a totally unconscious way, simply because we have “gotten used” to it that way: we have trained our unconscious and our minds with the model that “eating makes us feel better”; and the body responds. The body, this wonderfully complex machine that returns every detail and every nuance. The body, that tells us how our mind and heart are. The body has different reactions and changes based on emotions. Each emotion also has typical physiological nuances that express precisely “with the body, and through the body, what we feel in the body.”
it is wonderful, isn’t it? And, opening ourselves to the awareness of all that we may be able to manage and create with the correct mastery of our emotions is even more wonderful.
The first tool at the basis of “food awareness” is as simple as it is effective: the food diary is useful for listening and understanding ourselves. It is indispensable, especially at the beginning, in order to monitor and become aware of how much, what, and how we eat. Jotting down feelings and emotions that accompany our meals or snacks is extremely useful, because it gives us a clear indication of how and what moves us.
Only through careful and systematic observation, carried on for at least a few weeks, can we become more aware of our “real” eating behavior.
Indeed, we often think we are eating well, healthy, and in the right measure. But after only a few days of monitoring we may be surprised of how far we are from having a balanced and healthy relationship with food when we are not really “aware.” As soon as we become aware that emotions are what drives us to eat without a real sense of hunger, another useful strategy is to ask ourselves “what” is the reason for these emotions, and try to handle this “what” differently, and in the right way. And remember: our emotions are there to always teach us something, for better or worse! However, the first step is always to recognize ourselves and who is dwelling within us.
Our body is the house of our Spirit, sure, yet it is also and above all the house of God.
How do we create an inner order so that our body can be a welcoming home? By taking care of our body.
And this implies having a conscious diet. Moreover, only by starting from a correct recognition of emotions can we keep our body and mind clean and harmonious.
To whom do we give the opportunity to enter?
To the feelings of frustration, boredom, and pain?
Or to joy and love, that would allow us to create wonderful things, for ourselves and others?
Let’s stop and ask ourselves this simple question once in a while, let’s listen to ourselves and observe ourselves.
Let us begin to nurture positive and constructive emotions and interests.
Let us allow food to be a wonderful and nourishing experience, and not just a means for “filling a void.”
Let us change the wrong behaviors that have now turned into habits and that are not functional for our physical, emotional, and mental well-being!
Let’s create new patterns. Every day. Regardless of what patterns we have had or suffered until now. Let us ask ourselves what patterns we have had since childhood, and what “negative” patterns now surround us. Let’s recognize them, and change them. Step by step. Let’s choose healthy, positive role models who can lead us to eat healthy and wholesome all the time, not once or twice a year!
Let’s fill ourselves with positive emotions.
Let’s make plans, let’s set goals: we are the ones in charge of our lives and our emotions, because how we choose to react to situations and people depends on us. It does not matter what or how many positive or negative things happen to us: it is how we choose to react to each one of them.
And once more here lies the magic of being co-creators.
Every day.
Every moment.
In every life.
