Press Pause Before You Eat by Linda Mintle PhD

Author:Linda Mintle, PhD
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2009-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

How We Try to Fix Things with Food

The problem with using food as a fix for emotional states is that once the food is consumed, emotions resurface. Food is only a temporary fix. Let’s look at how two people use food to numb their feelings and to help distract them from problems.

Upset over a breakup with her boyfriend, Whitney decided not to be alone, at least for the evening. She knew that if she returned to her apartment, she would sit in front of the television, eat, and feel sorry for herself. So she texted three of her girlfriends and asked them to meet her for dinner at a local hot spot.

At the restaurant, the women greeted one another and ordered appetizers and drinks. The conversation quickly became engaging. Without realizing it, Whitney had devoured buffalo wings, chicken fingers, and nachos before the meal ever began. As the women continued to wallow over relationship woes, they ordered meals, followed by a round of hot fudge sundaes. Whitney felt relieved. The food and friendships distracted her from the hurt she felt inside. She didn’t have to think about the loss of her relationship. Food temporarily numbed any feelings of loss. What she didn’t realize is that she could have enjoyed the companionship and comfort of her friends without overindulging as she did.

One Saturday, the guys invited Ron over to watch college football and get away from the house for a few hours. Beer, pizza, chips, and cookies were spread out on the bar, and Ron ate several helpings. It seems Ron and his wife fight about everything, but for the time being he put the problems with his wife out of his mind. The game was a welcomed distraction.

The guys had a great time screaming and yelling at the teams. The experience reminded Ron of his carefree single days. However, without thinking, Ron ate and drank more than he intended. Food distracted him from the intimacy problems he faced with his wife. After the game, Ron had to go home and face the problems in his marriage—with an overfull belly.

Whitney and Ron engaged in a form of social emotional eating. It happens all the time. Getting together with friends or family when we are upset, anxious, worried, or even happy makes us feel better, at least for the moment. We don’t have to think about our problems or we can release a happy emotion through food.

Food can distract us from the issues at hand. It eases our hurt and emotional pain. It numbs our senses and provides temporary pleasure.

But crying over a nightmare date with a tub of ice cream and trying not to remember the hurtful words of a spouse by munching on goodies are not productive ways to deal with emotions. They don’t solve the problem, and they make us feel worse afterward. We need to learn how to cope with our emotions in healthy ways—without food.

Eating Ourselves Happy

Robert was excited. After months of tedious practice, he had performed well at his piano recital.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.