When I Am Stressed, Lonely, Sad, or Depressed, I Eat, How Do I Stop?

Hi again, my family, friends, foes, fiends, and funky folks!

Well, today, I am a bit stressed, and hungry because of it. Let’s talk about just that. Something that affects so many of us but often gets swept under the rug. When stress, loneliness, sadness, or depression hits, my first instinct isn’t always to meditate, go for a run, or call a friend. Nope. My brain screams, “FOOD… NOW.”

Sound familiar?

Emotional eating is a beast. It’s not just about hunger — it’s about filling a void, soothing pain, or distracting ourselves from that discomfort. And while that pint of ice cream or bag of chips might bring temporary relief, it often leaves us feeling worse afterward — physically and emotionally.

So, how do we break the cycle?

1. Get Good At Recognizing the Triggers

Before we can actually fix it, we have to recognize it. Emotional eating isn’t random — it’s usually tied to some specific feelings or situations.

• Stress: Deadlines, arguments, financial worries? Hello, comfort food.
• Loneliness: Eating can feel like companionship when no one’s around.
• Sadness/Depression: Food can be a numbing agent, a way to avoid facing the tough emotions, when you have trouble doint just that.