Most of us do, and occasionally eating in the absence of hunger is still within the realm of normal eating. However, if it's happening frequently and you're struggling to cope with emotions in other ways without using food, it may be a problem.
The solution? Start asking yourself "Am I hungry?" every time you have the urge to eat. If yes, then eat. But if no, then it's time to do some detective work.
A logical next question is "What am I feeling?" If you can label the emotion it becomes much easier to determine how to deal with it directly. For example, you'd cope with anger differently than loneliness.
For those times when you're not sure what you're feeling, or you don't know how to deal with the emotions, utilize distractions (music, social media, play a game), reach out for support (call/text a friend, talk to your therapist), or engage in self care (journaling, meditation, relaxation, "me" time).
Food can be a convenient and short-term effective way to deal with feelings. But once the effect wears off, you're still left with unresolved emotions. Be patient with yourself. This is not an easy journey. Forgive yourself if you turn to food again. The more you practice getting in touch with and honoring your needs, the easier it gets to use food in a way that is truly nourishing for your body and soul.
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