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I tend to eat alot when am depressed any suggestions what to do other then eating?

17 Answers
Last Updated: 03/22/2021 at 2:46pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
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Stacy Overton, PhD.

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I am an enthusiastic life-long learner and also a professor of counseling. I have a passion for peoples stories and helping to guide and empower the human spirit.

Top Rated Answers
markj7511
May 13th, 2015 12:49pm
Figure out what your trigger is; chances are somewhere in your life, when you were down, someone introduced you to the comfort that comes from appeasing appetite. When you feel hungry, keep a list of what is going on at that moment--a list of triggers will emerge. This will help you keep into perspective that, "I am not really hungry now; something is triggering me!" Recognizing the triggers is half the battle; the rest comes in not eating at that moment--the good news is, the urge to eat will pass. :)
TiffanyCares
September 8th, 2015 2:56pm
First I would recommend keeping gum around so you can keep your mouth busy. Going for a walk can be an amazing way to deal with this because then you're not around food that may be tempting to eat. In addition, exercise (even light exercise) releases endorphins, which improve your mood. I know it can be extremely difficult to find the motivation to exercise when you're depressed, but it really does work. If that's not an option for whatever reason, write about anything and everything. Whether it's a brain dump about all the emotions you are/are not feeling or a fictional story about a balloon named Ted, it can give you something to focus on. Plus, if you're writing about your feelings, it can help you process and work through them. You could read - get out of your own life for a while and into the character's (I would recommend an uplifting book over a downer, of course). Other things to do: draw, paint, make something, clean, watch a funny movie, maybe just sit and let yourself feel your emotions without judging yourself for them.
imwithhealth
January 25th, 2016 9:27pm
Listen to how you feel! How does eating make you feel? How do other activities like journaling, meditating, listening to music, doing yoga, watching movies, and talking to friends and family make you feel? Make someone smile by complimenting them and notice how good you feel on the inside! Volunteer, do something special for your family and friends. Finally, do something special for yourself! Relax and compliment yourself. Do what makes you feel good!
avanef
July 25th, 2017 12:11am
Eating when we are feeling a certain emotion is VERY common. In your case, for depression the best thing you want to do is feed that want of food into something else. Now, you can still eat your regular three or more meals a day, but when you start feeling depressed, do something other than eat food. Use that food eating motivation into something else, like watching a TV series that you either wished you watched or would like to watch again. Try a new hobby, or go take an adventure somewhere new, make memories with a new or old friend or even talk to one of your personal favorite family member. Once you have distracted your mind and your hunger, you'll help die down your depression and you'll eat when you're hungry for food rather than eating your feelings. Hope that helps you!
Anonymous
August 15th, 2016 11:25pm
Exercise is the best solution as it'll divert your attention and will help you control your hunger because when you do some sort of an exercise it transfers your energy from your stomach to your skeletol muscles and resulting you feeling full. Even a brisk walking while listsning your jam would help.
BrygenDS
August 3rd, 2015 3:22pm
People with an eating disorder often think that food is the only thing that can make you feel good. When you are stressed or you are feeling bad, the only solution seems to eat a lot. But let's be honest... You will start eating a lot to comfort yourself, but in the end you will feel even worse because you ate so much. The most important thing is to tell yourself that eating a lot is NOT a solution. You have to realize that you should do something else to make you feel better. For me, it helps to think about the consequences. I realize that when I eat a lot, it will contain a lot of calories, and I would feel so bad after. It is better to focus on something else to do. I love to listen to music, so when I feel bad, I listen to my music. If you have hobbies or specific things in which you're interested, it can help to focus on one of these things. For me it also helps to go outside and take a walk, just to get a clear view from the moment. I know it's hard to control your overeating, but in the end it will work. You have to put a lot of effort in it, but when you are able to control the overeating, you will feel much more confident about yourself! Just believe in your own ability to solve problems!
MtHorizon227
July 20th, 2015 10:21pm
Move. Do something that keeps you away from food. Workout, go out with your friends. Watch a movie. they are a million things you can do.
Brittneym101
August 7th, 2015 4:11pm
There is a lot that you can do in place of eating when you are feeling low/depressed. You can go for a walk/run. Vent on paper. Talk your issues out with a trusted friend and/or family member. Listening to music use to always make me feel better, but now a days it doesn't. I wouldn't recommend listening to music depending on what your situation is. Read a book. Take a nap. Honestly, keeping yourself busy doesn't always work, but I would try some of these things to see if they would work for you. Good luck love!!
peacefulHug83
January 8th, 2016 3:19am
Well when you are depressed you could exersice, go out for a walk, go out and look the sky, climb a tree, talk with a friend, watch a movie, read a book,take a bath,listen to music, pain, draw, there are plenty of things to do besides eating
Anonymous
January 24th, 2015 4:13pm
Writing, writing is really helpful, otherwise I watch movies and then find a repetetive task I can do while I'm watching it to replace eating, for example painting my nails or something.
HelloImMe143
March 14th, 2016 10:47am
Instead of eating try going for a nice run, taking a shower, listening to music, or reading a good book and if you do end up eating don't go straight for the junk food!
Anonymous
August 2nd, 2016 7:00pm
You can draw (doodle). For me, it really helps! It also helps to write your feelings down, for example on paper.
saffronswithen14
April 3rd, 2017 12:37pm
Go for a run (endorphins!), listen to upbeat music, take a nap or talk to one of the Listeners on here about what is making you sad. Stay out the kitchen and create a work of art maybe? Even just printing something out and colouring in can keep your hands and mind busy.
Liki
May 24th, 2015 11:37pm
Try to relax, try to find some other stuff you can enjoy, maybe listen music, or read some book, go for a walk, go to the nature, run, scream, everything is better than that. You can talk with me. I wish you guys all the best. :)
Howcanihelp7
March 16th, 2020 4:30am
One way to help keep your mind off of eating when depressed, is to do something else with your hands that makes it nearly impossible to eat. Like cleaning something, especially if it's really gross and makes your stomach turn, like toilets or cat litter or the garbage can. You could start a hobby that requires both your hands and a great deal of concentration like knitting, pottery, fishing etc. You can call a friend to cheer you up or go dancing. Join a group with the intention of learning something new. Go swimming or visit the animals at the SPCA and lastly talk positive and kindly to yourself.
GinaMastali
December 29th, 2020 6:30pm
I personally find that when I want to eat, but am not truthfully hungry that going for a nature walk really helps turn my energy away from wanting to eat. Also, sometimes I will go sit in a quiet place and focus on my breathing and that sometimes helps as well. I understand how feelings can make one want to eat when they are not hungry. It is good to ask yourself a few questions as well such as am i really hungry , when did I eat last nd was what I ate empty calories or functional food. I believe finding someone to listen to how your feeling can help with not eating when you are feeling depressed.
radiantKoala77
March 22nd, 2021 2:46pm
I think this happens to a lot of people. Perhaps you are eating a lot because it is comforting for you and when you are depressed you are engaging in activities that are comforting to you? So my suggestion is to engage in another activity that is comforting to you instead of snacking. For example, spending time with a cuddly pet, going for a walk in nature, getting a hot bath, watching your favourite movie from childhood, or listening to your favourite song. If you do snack, try to snack on healthy food that makes your body feel good. Be easy on yourself.