The safer-at-home self-isolating physical distancing continues as the pandemic worsens. I’m seeing many of my friends post on social media that they find themselves eating more out of boredom, stress, etc. It’s understandable. I mentioned this when I talked about staying the course when staying home. There are many different ways one can self-soothe if one wishes to avoid leaning towards disordered eating patterns.
My personal favorites are: journaling, exercising, talking to a friend, doing something with my hands (tidying, playing solitaire, coloring, etc.), and losing myself in a book or movie.
I like Susan Albers, “50 ways to soothe yourself without food” if you looking for ideas for things you can do instead of eating.
She puts techniques into categories: meditative, cognitive behavioral (hey! there’s my favorite thing again), sensation-based, distractions, and social.
I have had this book for years and it really inspired with some new-to-me ideas. I haven’t yet done them all since my stand-bys work well.
The future is uncertain. It always has been. The pandemic shatters our complacency and our self-illusion of consistency and predictability in life. We like to think we have control.
We can only control our actions and not our outcomes. That said, there is direct cause and effect with any action (I eat too much then my stomach hurts).
I think it’s ok to get through stress and challenge however you can. If that means stress eating then honor that and carry on. You might find that having other options, however, will provide you with more succor.
Stay at home and flatten the curve!