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How can mindfulness help fight emotional eating?

Buena Maharry

Well, as someone who has struggled with emotional eating myself, I can say that mindfulness has been a huge help in managing those urges. For me, emotional eating typically stems from feelings of stress or anxiety - I turn to food as a way to comfort myself and distract from those negative emotions. But practicing mindfulness has allowed me to become more aware of those feelings and learn to sit with them instead of immediately reaching for food.

One technique that has been particularly helpful for me is mindful eating. This involves really paying attention to the experience of eating - the smells, flavors, textures, and sensations in your body. When I practice mindful eating, I slow down and savor each bite of food, which can help me feel more satisfied and less likely to overeat or turn to food for emotional reasons.

Another key component of mindfulness is learning to identify and acknowledge your thoughts and feelings without judgment. When I'm feeling anxious or stressed, it can be easy to spiral into negative self-talk or start beating myself up for wanting to eat junk food. But with mindfulness, I've learned to recognize those thoughts and instead approach them with curiosity and compassion. By acknowledging and accepting those feelings, I'm better able to manage them and make conscious decisions about how I want to take care of myself.

Lastly, mindfulness has helped me shift my mindset from one of scarcity to one of abundance. When I used to struggle with emotional eating, I often felt like I needed to eat as much as possible in order to comfort myself. But with mindfulness, I've learned to appreciate the abundance of food and other resources in my life. By focusing on the abundance rather than the scarcity, I'm better able to connect with my body's natural hunger and fullness signals and make choices that truly nourish my body and soul.

Of course, mindfulness is not a magic cure for emotional eating - it's something that requires ongoing practice and self-reflection. But in my experience, it has been a powerful tool for managing those urges and learning to nurture myself in healthier ways. If you're struggling with emotional eating, I would highly recommend exploring mindfulness practices and seeing if they can help you too!