Nikhil’s Emotional Journey with Stress Eating
Stress eating often begins silently, just like it did for Nikhil. Chicken nuggets, pizzas, burgers, cold drinks and fries were Nikhil’s favourite until they became his biggest nightmare. He used to enjoy eating food in moderation and didn’t know when it became an obsession. He became an emotional eater. Every time he used to feel sad, he used to go to McDonald’s and have a burger. He was happy till he was in class 9, but things changed after that. The only persistent horror of his reality was that he was chubby. He was constantly fat-shamed in school. People used to call him by names like “”fatso”” and “”pig””. It not only hit his self-esteem but also increased his chances of incurring diabetes.
Since he was fond of food, the bullies used to eat his lunch and hide the lunch box. He used to go to the washroom and cry. Once he told them to shut up, and they hit him and hated going to school.
His breakdown was when he wasn’t invited to the school graduation. He felt unwanted, lonely and worthless. He sometimes used to pick clothes for his female friends, and his guy friends shunned him for being feminine. They said boys don’t do that. He tried to kill himself when he was 15 but failed.
Upon noticing his helplessness, his cousin introduced him to a counsellor. He was in therapy for more than a year.
There is a relationship between feeling low and over-eating. We tend to look for comfort when we experience pain or distress. Sometimes, we seek that comfort through food, particularly that which is rich in fats and carbohydrates, due to the calming effect it has on our mind.
2. Learn to accept yourself for the person you are: Before seeking approval from others, it is important to learn to love yourself first. Believe in yourself, no matter how difficult life seems. At some point, then the world, including your peers will come to believe in you.
3. Be assertive: Stand up for yourself and for what you believe in, even if it means keeping ‘friends’ at bay. Being assertive can seem really difficult at first, but the rewards are plenty if you continue to follow this trend in the long run.
4. Be positive and communicate: Develop a positive outlook towards life and communicate with people. Have fun and you will attract people who care for you just the way you would. Communicate with people, join social groups where you can connect with like minded people, go out more often, travel alone to meet new people. You may uncomfortable initially but then once you meet people and form new connections you will enjoy the process.
5. Seek Professional Help: If you cant manage your emotions and you feel overwhelmed, do seek professional help. You can seek guidance from our experts by clicking on Live Chat
Frequently Asked Questions :
1. What is stress eating and why does it happen?
Stress eating is the habit of consuming food, especially high-fat or sugary foods, in response to emotional distress rather than physical hunger. It happens because stress increases cortisol levels, which can trigger cravings and the desire for comfort foods.
2. How can I stop stress eating when I feel sad or lonely?
To stop stress eating, try identifying emotional triggers, practicing mindfulness, engaging in physical activity, and replacing food with healthier coping strategies like talking to a friend, journaling, or meditation.
3. Can stress eating lead to serious health problems?
Yes, long-term stress eating can lead to weight gain, obesity, diabetes, low self-esteem, and emotional dependency on food. Managing stress in healthier ways is essential for both mental and physical well-being.
