Stress Eating During the Quarantine? I get it. Try this.

With all the things that are up in the air right now, it makes total sense that you may be experiencing some weird things showing up in your day to day behaviors.

You may find yourself in a situation (no one could have dreamed of) that feels like a sci fi/ zombie apocalypse movie.

You're hunkered up at home with your family and (hopefully) enough toilet paper to last until they're able to restock the local grocery store.

You may notice a generalized sense of anxiety about you.

And it may be showing up in your stomach.

I mean, you may be finding yourself "hungry" more often than normal.

And around foods/quantities that you wouldn't normally experience.

I get it.

The chewing and swallowing process is both physiologically and psychologically very soothing, it makes total sense if this is the route you take.

If, however, you're open to another route, I can share with you a combination of Rori Raye tools that have been the most helpful in this situation.

As someone that comes from a long line of stress eaters, this isn't unique to you.

You likely watched this pattern since you were very young.

Not to blame anyone else, but also to cut yourself some slack.

The key is in your feelings.

To honor your feminine energy.

As women, we are by nature sensitive beings.

Not fragile.

But sensitive.

It serves you well if you're a mom- you can pick up on your child’s discomfort or on the subtle look your friend gives you that lets you know it's time to leave the party.

You pick up these signals from your entire body.

It's like a giant satellite that is receiving signals all the time.

Most of them, we aren't even aware of.

But think about the last time someone was angry at you and you could just feel it.

This is what I'm talking about.

Unfortunately right now there are so many sensations that are out of the norm for you that your body is, for lack of better terms, saturated.

We all have the ability to feel a broad spectrum of feelings, but sometimes, we choose not to.

When we do that, it has no choice but to get louder until we pay attention to it.

Like a child.

Here's a tool for you if your emotional appetite needs some TLC.

Next time you find yourself shoving food in your mouth (I'm not being facetious, I'm familiar with this situation)

1. Put one foot behind the other and step back onto the back foot.

Away from the food and into a sturdier footing.

2. Drop your shoulders.

We carry the weight of the world sometimes and it tends to pull our shoulders up to our ears.

Allow them to soften.

3. Soften your jaw.

If you're gritting your teeth while you sleep or can remember what your food tasted like, this one is for you.

4. You are a tree.

Strong and sturdy.

Imagine any tension or anxiety you feel could be sucked out the bottom of your feet- your roots.

Feel you feel, like suction cups to the ground, pulling calming, nourishing energy up through your legs.

5. Feel your body get really heavy.

Sink into the roots you've planted and imagine your entire body melting into your feet- not like a puddle but the way wet sand fills a bucket.

6. Give yourself a hug.

There is something so powerful about touch.

It has the ability- in a primal way like food does- to calm us.

On a nervous system level.

It doesn’t matter who is doing the hugging, the act of being wrapped in loving arms will bring comfort.

You may notice you're breathing deeper.

Or you may be identifying the fear that was just beneath the blanket of anxiety.

This is beautiful.

I want you to share it with someone close to you.

You can say, "I feel afraid"

And that is perfect.

If you're alone in your quarantine situation you can call someone or simply write it in your journal.

This simple act of acknowledging what you're experiencing if the first step to reducing the stress eating.

Leave a comment below of what feeling is trying to be released through your eating.

If you are ready for more strategies to heal this past time once and for all, I’m happy to share some new skills with you.

Write me what is going on for you and I’ll do my best to adapt some tools that will help you feel secure and grounded.