Eating and depression

Hi @Chelsea10 ,

Thank you for posting. I hear how food and depression is very much related here. For some people, when they feel low, they tend to eat. Conversely, there are others for when they feel down, don't eat.

I read that you feel there is some chemical imbalance? I'm wondering whether you have spoken to a GP about it? They may run a few tests to see if there is anything physical going on.

Also, do you have any other professional supports you can work with on how to work on some of those thinking patterns which in turn affect behaviour?

Please know you are not alone. I hear it is hard, but from experience, things can and do get better.

@Chelsea10 you could try "earthing" or learning to balance your chakras. These will stop you from craving food. It may not necessarily be the info you want to hear but its what has worked for lots of people including myself. I recognise you possibly aren't into this kind of stuff normally but its certainly a great way to bring balance to the body to stop comfort eating.

Earthing consists on using a rubber mat with an earthing wire to an electrical switch. You can put the earthing mat under your desk with your feet rested on it or you can also sleep on top of an earthing sheet with metallic thread through it.

There was a movie made about the earthing phenomenon. Its over 10 years old now, you may be able to find it for free off you tube. Lots of people are into it - health enthusiasts, athletes, you name it.

There was also a book written about it. Balancing your chakras can go a long way to stop over eating. You can listen to sound audios off you tube that balance each chakra and it should resolve the problem nicely

Hey Chelsea,

Ah, gosh, I feel this so much. The depression/food link can be so hard. I'm going through the loops of it at the moment, too.

Sometimes (ok, a lot of the time), I forget to pat myself on the back for the positive things I've managed to achieve on tougher days. Sometimes that's just that I had a shower and brushed my teeth, or that there were at least some nutritious foods included in amongst the biscuits, chocolate and everything else that calls to me from the pantry.

I don't have any answers right now but one thing I do know is that there is hope! Small wins have been really helpful in bouying my own self-esteem of late. Maybe that could help you? What's one task that feels achievable, no matter how seemingly insignificant it might seem? Take the garbage out. Water a plant. Make the bed. Even just straighten up the cushions on the couch. And then pat yourself on the back like you've won a crazy hard competition (because you have, it's called the Depression Olympics!).

And re the food part... Sometimes I can generate the determination to make more positive choices and sometimes I can't. I'm a human, I'm trying my best, and I'm getting help. And today that's the best I can ask of myself.

How about you?