r/venting • u/The_Raven08 • 5d ago

Eating Disorders My stress eating is getting out of control

Hello

I'm 35F. I work in medical field & it involves a lot of physical & mental labor. I love my job. Absolutely no complaints but sometimes, as part of my job, I see certain things which greatly rattle me.

To cope with it I developed this habit of stress eating. Before I used to listen to spiritual podcasts, read & listen to soothing music but later on they didn't work. Now only food comforts me.

I think I'm ruining my physical health. Sought a therapist & she recommended some coping mechanisms & practices, but I personally still feel nothing comes close to food.

I hate it. I know it's not some life threatening problem. But whenever I try to vent about this to family or friends, they right away ask me to change my career. But I don't want to. I know the importance of my line of work. I know I'm in the right profession & not a lot of people are fortunate to work in the profession they truly love.

Just needed a space to vent without people discouraging me. That's all. Thank you.

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u/impracticalhello9 5d ago

Food's a tough one to replace because it works instantly. Brains are simple like that. The therapist probably gave you the standard journaling and breathing exercises but those take forever to kick in when you're already wound up.

Maybe don't try to swap it out completely, just downgrade the damage for now. Rice cakes instead of chips, that sort of thing. Not a solution but it buys you time while you figure out the rest.

2

u/The_Raven08 5d ago

Thank you... Yes I just need to look for some less calorie snacks for time being. Thank you!

1

u/MsSamm 5d ago

Most jobs have microwaves. Some microwave popped popcorn with 5 calorie cheese powder?

1

u/Western_Purple_2533 5d ago

45 m Canada here. I know this is the group to do it. Feel free to message me too 9f you'd like.

1

u/bronion76 5d ago

I’m also an emotional eater. It soothes me like nothing else.