Celebrating with Food
Consider this – how many cherished memories are intertwined with the aroma of a delicious meal or the sweetness of a celebratory dessert? From birthdays to festive occasions, food is often at the heart of our celebrations. This connection between positive emotions and eating is not something to shy away from but to be embraced.
The Positive Cycle
The cycle of emotional eating extends beyond times of stress; it encompasses joyous occasions too. Embracing the positive side of this cycle involves acknowledging that treating oneself with favourite foods during moments of celebration is a way to savour life’s victories. In fact, studies conducted by the University of Queensland reveal that associating positive emotions with food can contribute significantly to overall well-being.
Nurturing Your Well-Being
Should emotional eating ever become a source of concern for your health, it’s essential to approach it with kindness and understanding. The key is to strike a balance between enjoying the pleasures of food and maintaining overall well-being
Practical Steps
Mindful Choices
- Savor the Experience: When enjoying your favourite foods, savour each bite. Pay attention to the flavours, textures, and overall experience.
- Listen to Your Body: Tune in to your body’s hunger and fullness cues. Eat when you’re hungry and stope when you’re satisfied.
- Choose Nutrient-Rich Options: Opt for foods that not only bring comfort but also contribute to your overall well-being.
Eat Without Judgement and Guilt
- Release the Notion of “Good” or “Bad” Foods: Understand the labelling foods in this way is restrictive. Allow yourself to appreciate food without attaching guilt or judgment.
Celebrate Moderation
- Portion Control: Enjoy your favourite treats in moderation. Appreciate the joy they bring without overindulging.
- Balanced Indulgence: Balance indulgent choices with nourishing ones. A well-rounded approach allows you enjoy a variety of foods.
In line with Australian from the Black Dog Institute, it’s evident that adopting a balanced and compassionate approach, even in moments of emotional indulgence, can foster healthier relationships with food.
Seeking Support with Compassion
Should you find that emotional eating begins to impact your health in a significant way, seeking support is an act of self-compassion. Professionals, including compassionate therapists and dietitians, can provide guidance tailored to your individual needs, without judgment.
Furthermore, Australian studies emphasise the positive impact of compassionate therapeutic approaches in fostering healthier relationships with food.
Ready to Heal Your Relationship with Food?
Embracing emotional eating is the first step, but deep reprogramming takes practice. If you are ready to move from understanding the concept to actually changing how you feel, here are three ways to start today:
1. Listen to the Hypnosis Session You don’t have to do this with willpower alone. I have released a dedicated audio session to help you soothe your nervous system and stop the urge to binge. 🎧 Listen to “Stop Emotional Eating” on YouTube (below)
2. You Don’t Have To Do This Alone Healing is so much easier when you have people cheering you on. Come join the Awaken You Tribe, a safe, judgment-free space where women just like you are listening to this session, sharing their wins, and supporting each other.
Take This Work Further
You don't have to navigate emotional eating on your own.
Join the Awaken You Community for free to watch this session ad-free, plus get instant access to our library of hypnosis tracks, soundscapes, and self-care tools designed to help you quiet the food noise.
- Watch Sessions Ad-Free
- Access Hypnosis & Soundscapes
- Connect with people who get it
3. Go Deeper If you find yourself eating when you aren’t hungry, you might be struggling to hear your body’s natural signals. Read my guide on How to Master Your Eating Habits to learn the difference between emotional hunger and physical hunger.
Is it possible to embrace emotional eating? Yes. Embracing emotional eating doesn’t mean binging; it means acknowledging that food and feelings are connected. By accepting this connection without guilt, you can move from “stress eating” to conscious enjoyment, nurturing a positive relationship with food.
How does hypnosis help stop emotional eating? Hypnosis helps stop emotional eating by bypassing the critical mind to address the root cause of the urge. Instead of relying on willpower, it reprograms your subconscious to soothe emotions without needing food as a crutch.
What is a positive relationship with food? A positive relationship with food means eating without guilt, shame, or restriction. It involves listening to your body’s hunger cues, enjoying celebratory meals, and stopping when you are full—naturally and effortlessly.
More Self-Care Resources
MINDSET
HYPNOSIS
Stress Eating Hypnosis: 3 Ways This Session Breaks the Cycle
Stressed Spelled...