20/08/2025
It can feel really hard to sit with discomfort & negative emotions - especially if youāve never been taught how to do this.
So, whatās the solution?
For many, itās food as a reactive response to gain a a sense of comfort or distraction in a time of distress.
Food can also serve as a buffer for discomfort.
I.e grabbing the bag of chips to get through the last 20 emails of the day
Snacking on biscuits to take the edge off while engaging in stressful consults or meetings
Or, getting so overwhelmed after an argument or near deadline that you find yourself knee deep in every empty packet of junk food in the house.
Food is calming. It is grounding. It is predictable.
It is also readily accessible.
If you find yourself doing this - learn to āurge surfā by acknowledging the urge to eat, and instead put a timer on your phone to engage in one (or several) of the 4 strategies I listed for 10 minutes.
If you still actually hungry, eat a planned mindful meal (sat down at a table, not at your desk or standing in the kitchen).
Food might seem like a god solution, but itās not actually what you need.
