Intuitive Eating Principles 7 & 8
Cope With Your Emotions Without Using Food
And Respect Your Body
Welcome back to another blog post where we delve into intuitive eating principles, aiming to foster a healthier relationship with food and our bodies. Today, we're exploring principles 7 and 8: coping with emotions without using food and respecting your body.
Principle 7: Coping with Emotions Without Using Food
Let's address the elephant in the room—emotional eating. Contrary to popular belief, emotional eating isn't the big, scary monster waiting to grab you; it's a natural coping mechanism deeply ingrained in our biology. From the sensory pleasure of eating a favorite treat to using food as a distraction or even punishment, emotional eating spans a continuum.
Understanding this continuum helps us navigate our relationship with food with curiosity rather than judgment. It starts with sensory gratification—enjoying food for the sheer pleasure it brings—and extends to more complex emotions like using food to numb or punish oneself. Recognizing where we fall on this spectrum allows us to approach emotional eating with compassion rather than guilt.
So, how can we cope with emotions without always resorting to food? It begins with self-awareness. Pause and ask yourself if you're physically hungry or if there's an emotional need prompting your desire to eat. Identifying the underlying feelings—whether it's boredom, stress, loneliness, or even excitement—opens the door to alternative coping strategies. These can range from journaling and mindful breathing to engaging in hobbies or seeking support from loved ones.
Principle 8: Respecting Your Body
Next, let's tackle body respect. In a world where societal ideals of beauty constantly shift, it's challenging to feel content with our bodies. From the hourglass figure of Marilyn Monroe to today's emphasis on curves, the ideal body shape seems always just out of reach. This perpetual chase undermines our self-worth and perpetuates dissatisfaction.
Instead of striving for body positivity, which can sometimes lead to pressure and unrealistic expectations, consider embracing body neutrality and respect. This approach encourages us to view our bodies through a lens of acceptance rather than judgment. It acknowledges that while we may not love every inch of ourselves, we can still treat our bodies with kindness and dignity.
Respecting your body means meeting its basic needs—nourishing it when hungry, dressing comfortably, and avoiding comparisons that breed negativity. It's about letting go of the constant scrutiny and unrealistic standards imposed by society and focusing on what truly makes us feel good from within.
Practical Steps Towards Body Respect:
Comfortable Clothing: Invest in clothes that fit well and make you feel comfortable. Your body deserves to be at ease throughout the day.
Mindful Self-Talk: Practice affirmations that affirm your body's worthiness: "My body deserves respect and kindness."
Embrace Body Neutrality: Shift from criticizing to accepting. Acknowledge the parts of your body you appreciate without fixating on flaws.
Rejecting Diet Culture: Challenge societal norms that equate worth with appearance. Focus on health and well-being rather than conforming to unrealistic standards.
By adopting these principles, we can cultivate a healthier relationship with food and our bodies. It's about honoring ourselves as unique individuals with varied emotional needs and body shapes. Remember, progress is gradual, and every step towards self-compassion and respect counts.
Join us next time as we explore more intuitive eating principles aimed at nurturing a positive relationship with ourselves and our bodies.
