Having a hard time

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-2003
Having a hard time
4
Thu, 06-09-2005 - 10:34am

How do i deal with the stress of my life in a different way then eating. This week has been really hard. I found out some bad news on monday night and now i cant seem to get out of this funk i am in. i am trying so hard not to eat to make me feel better but it is always on my mind. i want to cry or eat and i cant cry over this anymore.( my best friend was shot and killed 10 years ago and the guy who did it is getting a retrial in october)
so if anyone has any helping thoughts for me i could use them

Robyn

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2004
Thu, 06-09-2005 - 10:56am

<<>>

I'm sorry that you are struggling right now, and I know how hard it is to resist the urge to reach for food when you are stressed or depressed, and it sounds like you may be a bit of most. My best advice for you right now would be to go for a walk, or get moving in some way or another. Exercise helps reduce stress and improve mood, and the feeling of having accomplished something is great. It also doesn't hurt that it's really hard to eat a bag of chips/cookies/chocolate when you are walking down the street! I tend to have anxiety problems, especially when I diet and can't use food for comfort, but this time around I have been walking--about 20-35 minutes most days, and I have noticed a lot less anxiety and depression since doing this.

Also, make sure you are getting enough good carbs in your diet, because a lack of carbs (any kind) has been shown to have negative effects on mood and stress response.

I hope this helps, but if it doesn't, is there someone you can talk to? A friend or family member? Church leader? Even a therapist or doctor? It's probably a good idea to talk about it anyway, and if ever you need to vent, we're all willing to lend an ear :).

Hope you are feeling better,
Staci


 


Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 06-09-2005 - 11:27am

Aw. ((((HUGS)))) I know that has to be tough. I agree with Staci. Getting up and doing something always makes me feel better. I live where it rains a LOT, so sometimes, going out for a walk just isn't possible (I hate being wet and cold). So sometimes, just doing *something* helps a lot. Getting away from whatever it is that's stressing me. I had a day like that yesterday (well, not quite like yours...just really stressed). But of course it's raining. And if I went for a walk, I'd have to take my kids. So I took my computer (has all my favorite songs on it) into the bathroom, locked the door, turned my music up full blast, and got into a nice, hot bubble bath. Just sat there and soaked for a good half an hour. And came out more relaxed and refreshed. But a walk outside, if you can do it, always makes me feel better.

Hope you feel better, hon!

~Joanne

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-10-2004
Sun, 06-12-2005 - 10:57pm
I work on trying to turn to God instead of food when I'm emotional. I'm not very good at it and that's why I need to lose over 100 pounds! However, the positive step I've taken is to not eat as much junk as I used to when I'm like that. I used to scarf, scarf, scarf when I was emotional. Now it's a lot less. I can live with that for now since it is a positive step. My therapist reminded me that everyone's lives will have stressors and bad times now and then until they die. I think about that when I begin to get overwhelmed. If I'm going to have things happen in my life all down the line, and the reality of it will be that my control of it will be almost nil, is my response always going to be the same? At some point in time I have to make the choice to deal with things head on, going to God first, and not anesthetize myself with food first. We're all here for you. When I reach for something that I really only want for comfort, it helps me to say outloud, "No." Something about vocalizing it makes me feel like the food is not controlling me. I hope this helps! :o) Kristi <><
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Mon, 06-13-2005 - 9:08am

Im really sorry Robyn :(