Managing emotions with food, otherwise known as emotional eating, is something that humans have been doing for millenia. And the reason is simple: when we eat, we reliably feel better – no matter how fleeting those “feel-good” feelings may be.
While many people intuitively understand that emotions play a key role in our eating habits, it can often be a lot harder to understand the emotions themselves.
The truth is, our inner emotional world is fantastically complex, and influences our relationship with food in so many diverse and fascinating ways.
Which brings us to guest coaching client Beverley, 70, whose deepest desire is to understand the “dark places” inside herself that drive her to food – and to finally bring healing to the challenging emotions she’s been feeling for over 50 years.
As Beverley shares with Marc David, she’s never really been able to understand her negative feelings, where they came from, or why she has them.
Beverley reflects that she’s had an “amazing life,” with so many blessings. She’s developed a fulfilling career as a theater director, helping young people develop their skills and confidence as an actor. She raised four incredible children of her own, and was, herself, born to a remarkable mother who always inspired and supported her.
And it’s this latter feature of Beverley’s life – her special bond with her mother – that is especially interesting.
As Marc explores with Beverley, her love for her mother runs so deep, and a very real part of her – her Child Archetype, doesn’t seem to want to let go. Even though Beverley’s mom has long since passed away, a part of Beverley still wants to be her mother’s daughter.
Her uncanny way of staying connected with her mom is by continuing to engage in a behavior – emotional eating – that she knows her mom would have always encouraged and supported her to not judge herself for. By turning to food and being childlike when it comes to soothing her emotions with eating, Beverley has found a way to symbolically stay connected to her mother.
As Marc reflects, sometimes our “dark places” aren’t actually what they seem. They aren’t actually dark, or sinister, or even flawed.
They’re just young parts of ourselves that hold onto a pattern out of fear of letting go of something – or someone – we love.
So be sure to tune into this powerful, wise, and heartfelt session that highlights the mother-daughter connection when it comes to food, and how we can continue to learn, grow and transform at any age in life.
Episode highlights:
✅ Why “going dark” with food isn’t always what it seems.
✅ Key transformational tools to bring consciousness to your own unique relationship with food.
✅ Why overcoming emotional eating often requires us to “graduate” from our parents house.
✅ Learning to see yourself as equal to your parents – and why that matters when it comes to food.
✅ How to forgive yourself around food and emotional eating.
✅ And much more!
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Learn more about us at The Institute for the Psychology of Eating: https://psychologyofeating.com/
Ready to call a ceasefire in your battle with eating, and find peace and freedom with food? Learn more about our newest program, The Emotional Eating Breakthrough! https://learn.psychologyofeating.com/
Interested in becoming a certified coach in eating psychology? Then tune in to hear Marc talk about our Mind Body Eating Coach Certification Training, and download a copy of our School Catalog: https://psychologyofeating.com/info-kit/ Learn our powerful, cutting-edge approach, and discover how you can create a unique career helping others find peace and freedom with food.
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The Psychology of Eating Podcast