It’s no secret around here I struggle greatly with depression which unfortunately often leads to emotional eating. Those of us who deal with mental health and food addiction issues often find ourselves in a valley of hopelessness and exhaustion. I’ve been there many times.
Depression can manifest in different ways for each of us. We may take to the bed for days, isolate from friends and family, or binge eat to stuff down our emotions. I recently chose the latter, dealing with unwanted stress and sadness through copious amounts of the most unhealthy food choices possible.
When those overwhelming feelings of sadness hit me, I will usually turn to food for comfort. I wish this could be in the form of an apple or green smoothie, but it more often is found in large servings of fried, sugary, and/or highly processed options. So over the past few weeks, I’ve turned to some of these as I’ve fought my lifelong nemesis, depression.
Here’s the good news: I woke up this morning knowing today can be different. Having these difficult episodes so often over my lifetime has definitely shown me they are temporary. Even though I may find myself hopeless at times in the midst of those days, I know without a doubt from past experiences, I will once again overcome the darkness.
I want to share some tips with you on how I’m picking up the pieces today, recovering from the many unhealthy choices this latest pitfall led me to, and ways you can move past emotional eating binges as well. Depression easily leads to overeating, but we don’t have to stay in bondage to food or emotions.
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During our darkest moments, we must keep an open conversation with God. I tend to shut Him out when my hope starts to wane. This is truly the exact opposite reaction we should have.
By constantly checking in with Him whether I’m trapped in my bed or stuffing down my emotions with food, He can help. We can pray for emergency assistance or even choose prayers of thanksgiving for all that is right in our lives. I know the second one can be extra hard in those times, but gratitude can transform our minds in the most amazing way.
We also must spend time with our ears open to Him. Listening intently can give us insights as to what possibly triggered our latest depressive episode. I may be taking to the bed because I actually need a day of rest. Instead of feeling so guilty about the one day that it turns into three, perhaps I should take 24 hours to relax because I need it.
When I’m eating everything in sight, by stopping and regrouping with Him, I may quietly hear how I need to reach out to a friend or my husband. Food may be replacing loneliness or a number of other things it can often pretend to be. If we are not listening to God, it’s easy to stay trapped by not understanding a possible way to freedom.
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
~1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
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Forgive yourself. No matter how long it lasted or whatever reason is behind your current depressive episode, allow yourself to move on. Don’t stress about the amount of time you wasted laying around or how many unnecessary calories you stuffed in your now extended belly.
This guilt becomes a vicious cycle that will never lead to the road exiting that valley. Our self-hatred and loathing quickly lowers us into deeper despair every time. Let it go…
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Journal your thoughts, emotions, and what you are eating on a daily basis. Writing down the foods we are putting in our bodies, along with how we feel emotionally and physically before and after their consumption, helps us on so many levels. By journaling this in the middle of a binge, it can help stop us in our tracks. The awareness and coming back to our present moment is absolutely invaluable.
Journaling also helps us to fully process our emotions and experiences. Telling our stories, both the good and hard parts, is life changing. This not only serves us, but can be used to help others dealing with the same struggles.
Writing this for you helps me understand what’s happening in my own life. Each personal story I share here leads to a commitment to follow through and make improvements. My true desire is these stories help you in some form as well.
To walk alongside me on this continued journey, subscribe here and let’s get to know each other better!
Do you have any tips on dealing with difficult emotions and the poor food choices they often lead to? I would love to hear them in the comments!
This post is part of the monthly Turning to Food series. You can learn more about my food addiction story in An Addict’s Journey or you may want to check out some of the other monthly updates.
You made a great point about maybe your body needing a day to rest. I’m sure my body would love a day in bed to relax, but I’m horrible at giving myself time to relax.
But like you said the most important part is keeping the conversation open with God when you are struggling in your life.
Giving myself time to relax has been a tough balance for me too, Sonya. I’m very all or nothing with it as I seem to be in most areas of life :). Either I don’t allow myself to relax at all or I’m out for days. Keeping the lines of communication open with God no matter which end of the spectrum I’m currently falling on is a true lifeline!
Dear sweet Candace … thanks for your vulnerability, your honesty. I can’t think of one single person that doesn’t have some level of struggle with emotional eating. Not one.
Here’s to admitting where we’re coming from, forgiving ourselves, and reaching out to connect with those who love us like crazy.
We are not alone.
And maybe knowing that will help us reach for something life-giving to put in our mouths. And feeling good about not just what we’re eating, but who we are.
Wise words, Linda. I’m really trying to fill up with more life-giving foods these days. It’s amazing the difference on so many levels when I eat nourishing choices. You are so right in that we all struggle with this issue. I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t do a little emotional eating at times as well. Thanks for your support, my friend.
I’m sorry you’ve been having some rough weeks with depression, Candace. I love how you often rise up and tell yourself today can be different. Thank you for being so honest and for sharing such wise ways of overcoming. I always have such a hard time with the forgiving myself. Blessings and hugs and uplifting days to you!
I’m so with you on the forgiving myself struggle, Trudy. It really does lead into such a vicious circle. This is an area I’m working hard on. Blessings and hugs to you too, my sweet friend!
Emotional eating is my worst nemesis and it seems to hit me at the weirdest times. But like you, writing about it can be very healing. Writing about any of the challenges I am going through has become a way for me to open up that I am far from perfect and I need God more than ever. This vulnerability is what gives God the space to come in and help to make us whole again.
Your words make you human but your emotions and sharing from your heart make you God’s. Thank you for being you.
Thank you for your sweet words, Mary. I’ve been so frustrated about changing over to a health blog in the midst of this struggle. I really feel it’s what I’m called to do though, sharing exactly where I am with it. Vulnerability can be tough but it’s imperative on many levels including as you so beautifully stated, to make us whole again.
Candace, there’s such redemptive power in the writing of our stories, isn’t there? I can feel the pain in your words, but also the hope that comes from realizing the darkness, whenever it comes, is temporary. Thank you for sharing with such helpful transparency. #RaRaLinkup
I’ve been amazed at the power of writing, Lois. This space has been such a blessing in my life. There is definitely hope today :).
I must say I just have my days where I just overindulge and couldn’t even imagine this though being tied to depression, as well. Thank you for the tips though and very much appreciate you sharing from your own experiences here.
Depression adds a whole other layer to overeating, Janine. It’s truly overwhelming at times. Luckily it’s always temporary :). Finally understanding this has served me well.
Hi Candace! I can completely relate to the binge eating when things get tough. I really resonated with the journaling idea, and #1: forgive yourself. It’s so hard to do that for myself sometimes, but it’s so necessary so I can move forward.
I think this is a lifelong journey of trying to get it right. I have been doing okay for the last few weeks, but as you know, that can turn on a dime. Thank you for these good suggestions, including turning to Scripture. I know they’ll help.
Blessings,
Ceil
It really can turn on a dime, Ceil. I can so relate! Remember it can turn back just as quickly :). I think forgiving ourselves is key. I struggle in that area as well, but we must break free from that bondage. I hope these tips help you, my friend. Blessings to you!
I always love when you open up like this. I have been known to binge too and it never leaves you feeling anything but yucky all around. I read a quote on Facebook last week that said eating is the most over used method of fighting depression and exercise is the most underused way. It’s so true.
I love that quote, Jen. I should post it on my fridge :). Exercise helps my mood issues tremendously, but I still haven’t made it a habit. Thanks for that reminder, my friend!
Now this is a post I can relate to. All reason completely goes out the window while I am eating out of emotion. This is why I will never be a size 6 again. But I like how you address it. You’re right. Prayer. listening to God. Why is that so hard to remember?
I don’t know why these things are so hard to remember, but I have the same struggle, April. When we are caught up in those difficult moments, we usually can’t think clearly. Prayer and listening to God just need to be an ingrained habit. I’m still working on that as well :).
Hi Candace, I’m lucky in that I have bad days, but nothing comparable to depression, but that doesn’t stop me turning for food at times. When I do I take a mental note of what I’m doing and why, which I find helps me.
Your advice to learn to let things go is sound advice, it does take practice and isn’t always easy to do, but it does become easier in time.
For me getting out of the house works to lift my mood, taking my camera with me helps me to focus outside of myself.
xx
I love your tip about getting out of the house with your camera, Debbie! I’ll have to try that. You are so right about focusing on something outside of ourselves. Thanks for the great idea :).
Candace, I love this post… I have lived with chronic depression since childhood… and I don’t think this topic is discussed nearly enough, especially with a faith perspective, so thank you!!!
Over the last few years, I’ve slowing begun to really focus on the various points you’ve made today, and I can say without a doubt that God uses these things to move in each time and supply what I need. It’s so good to hear someone talking about it with such encouragement and hope! Yes and amen!!! So glad I was your neighbour again for #CoffeeForYourHeart! Have an amazing day, friend.
I have found so much healing from writing about this, Christine. I’ve struggled with it from childhood as well. It’s been a long, hard road, but tips along the way and my faith have brought me so far. I’m sorry to hear this is a struggle for you as well. Many blessings to you!
Candace, I would find this topic nearly impossible to write about. Thank you for sharing your journey. I have been helped by your words.
It’s an incredibly difficult topic, Michele. I keep feeling led to share about it though. I’m so thankful these words helped you today. It really helps me to get them out :).
Thank you for sharing so openly about something people so easily sweep under the rug. Your vulnerability made my feelings feel safe and less lonely. I found myself nodding along with each of your strategies, allowing their truth to sink deep into my heart.
Thank you! So glad I visited from #coffeeforyourheart
Thank you for sharing this made you feel safe and less lonely, Becky. That means so much to me and is why I write these personal stories. They can be hard but I truly believe these topics need to be addressed more, giving people a space to feel understood. I’m so glad you stopped in :).
Thank you for being so open and honest! I suffer from many of the same issues! Lately I’ve just keep ‘indulging’ and then saying I’m not going to do that today, and then doing it again, and the next day saying I’m not going to do that again, and then doing it again……
I can completely relate to you, Michelle! I get so frustrated with myself, saying the same thing over and over again. We are not giving up though and that is the important part :). We can do this!
Candice I always love your writing. Your bravery and vulnerability speak to my heart. I too, have an addiction to food. I have recently found myself flirting with the binging and did journaled as you recommended. Yet, I have also binged and have found that when I can forgive myself and peek behind the reason for the binge; that binge actually becomes a gift. This gift provides me with insight. The key is forgiving and letting go of the guilt. I always say guilt makes the binge more caloric!
Thank you for this great insight, Maureen. I understand exactly what you’re saying about dissecting the binge and letting it be a gift. We can learn so much about what we really need in those moments by just stopping and spending some time thinking about the why behind it. Yes, forgiveness is absolutely key. It has been one of my greatest struggles, but I’ve come a long way with it.
Wonderful advice! Forgiving yourself is key, and I think journaling helps a lot with that.
It can be so hard to pick up a journal in those stressful moments, but it truly is life changing, Akaleistar. I’ve uncovered a great deal about myself simply by writing :). I completely agree about how much it helps with forgiveness too. Great point!
Oh Candace, I’m so sorry you have been struggling. I just am so moved by your honesty and think the advice you offered to help others is so helpful. I know you are speaking into the hearts of many, through your encouragement, your honesty, and above all- your faith.
Thank you, Chris. Your sweet words and support mean so much, my friend. I’m feeling better, but it’s a continued struggle with me. Sharing it here helps a lot and I truly hope it encourages others :).
Thanks for sharing your story here, Candace. This does help others so much. One thing that does help me deal with depression is making sure I’m getting enough rest, as you say. Also fluids. Sometimes people just need a little bit of tender-loving care, being kind to themselves. taking it slow, giving themselves space. Journaling helps me as well. Prayer, making sure to get outside.
Thank you for sharing these tips, Betsy! I definitely need to get outside more. I so agree with the helpfulness of that. God always feels closer when I’m in nature :). Water and rest are two others I’m working on these days as well.
Oh Candace, there’s some really great nuggets of wisdom here. I tend to turn to food when I’m stressed or emotional, and your advice about forgiving myself spoke to me. Letting go of things I cannot control, of things that have already happened, is something I need to learn, and what a great reminder from you to always bear that in mind. Thanks so much for sharing this with us on #shinebloghop this week!
Emotional eating is so common, Maria. I truly believe we need to understand how wide spread it is so we won’t beat ourselves up about it. Forgiveness is huge. It’s the only way I can move on from the bondage of binging. Otherwise we would just stay in a downward spiral forever ;). Moving on is key.
Thank you for posting this. It’s a good reminder to all who struggle with emotional overeating.
There are so many of us who struggle with this, Jenny. I think it’s way too easy to feel alone in the midst of it, but we need to remember how common it truly is.
Thank you for your brave honesty … even that you can write this shows you’re moving forward 🙂 It’s so great to be reminded that we don’t have to stay in bondage and that God is our greatest help in time of need. Thanks Candace, you are so brave and strong.
Moving forward can be hard after these difficult seasons, but it is absolutely necessary. Thanks for the support and encouragement, Sam :).
This has been really helpful. A lot of people are suffering from eating disorder and this is such an eye opener.
It’s an incredibly common affliction, Lux. You are definitely right about the abundance of people suffering. I’m so glad to hear this was helpful :). Thank you!
I am grateful I found you on Pinterest. I am addicted and my doctor told me to go to overeaters anonymous. I have been through so much in my life and took that hard. I feel like you have saved my life. I am starting now. Thank you
I’m so thankful we have been brought together as well, Melissa! Food addiction is incredibly difficult. I can completely relate to what you’re going through. It’s never to late to start over. We can do this together :)! I’m looking forward to getting to know you better.