Comfort eating in times of Corona

Needless to say we live in very stressful and challenging times. Your need to reach for food (or alcohol) to cope with fear, stress or anxiety may have increased over the past few weeks. I understand that there is a greater underlying need to make yourself feel safe and to create a “trance” state, during which you are distracted from physical or emotional discomfort. This is very human. One wants to get relief from suffering.

Are there other ways that would help take the edge off and find inner peace? Please take a look at the image of the emotional eating iceberg below. It might help you to identify the sources of discomfort, identify and label the feeling. Then soothe yourself the same way you would help a small child, a good friend or a loved one.

Mindful self-compassion is a powerful tool. Allow yourself a few minutes each day to simply pause and create S P A C E for your feelings to simply be there. You may want to put a comforting shawl or scarf around your shoulders, put your hands over your heart and wish yourself well: “This is a moment of suffering. Suffering is part of life. May I be kind to myself in this moment. May I give myself the compassion I need.”