Binge Eating & Meditation
Binge eating, though may sound funny, is now recognized as a disorder by the medical community. Over 2% of the world’s population suffers from it. Before we explore Binge eating in detail, let us understand its distinction from overeating.
Once in a while, all of us overeat. One more piece of that sinful cake at a birthday party or extra helpings of your favorite dish. Overeating is a meal-time indulgence, and one doesn’t also do it at every meal.
On the other hand, binge eating is characterized by excessive eating of any type of food mindlessly. The urge to binge suppresses the ability to exercise self-control.
Symptoms of Binge Eating
Binge eating disorder is marked by some of the following symptoms:
- Eating abnormally large quantities of food within a short period
- Eating even when you are not hungry
- Eating till you are too full
- Tendency to eat alone
- Sensing that your eating behavior is not normal
- Eating rapidly
While binge eating, one experiences a feeling of comfort or relief; however, it is typically followed by guilt or embarrassment.
Role of Guided Meditation in Binge Eating
Genetic factors, long periods of dieting, and psychological issues are some of the major causes of binge eating. In this article, we concern ourselves with the psychological factor.
From a psychological perspective, binge eating is a coping mechanism for people with grief, stress, or anxiety. The habit is formed gradually and subconsciously. Since binge eating is not triggered by a desire for food but an unresolved emotion, the goal of guided meditation is to train the person to be aware of his feelings, observe without judging them, and then respond appropriately.
Besides boosting self-awareness, guided meditation helps regulate the mind by:
- Limiting negative thoughts
- Restoring a feeling of control
- Enhancing confidence
- Controlling impulsiveness and a feeling of being overwhelmed
- Teaching the triggers and patterns of binge eating
Many studies by the scientific and medical fraternity of repute have confirmed the effectiveness of meditation in controlling binge eating sometimes referred to as emotional eating.
Journaling for binge eating
Journaling is a good way to track your daily eating habits and emotions that drive you to binge eat. By writing them down, you observe the patterns and how vulnerable you have been to excesses. Capture every meal and snack; and every rush of emotion. When you are aware of the tendencies and acknowledge your deviation from normal behavior, the cure becomes easy and long-lasting.
Heartfulness Meditation
Heartfulness-guided meditation has been developed by a spiritual institution steeped in the practice of meditation for over a hundred years. It has taught the profundity and timeless value of heartfulness meditation to millions of people around the world.
The core philosophy of Heartfulness guided meditation practice lies in recognizing the power of the tender heart over the wayward mind. Through simple, easy-to-practice meditation, Heartfulness teaches this eternal truth. If we keep the heart in the right place, our mind will automatically follow us there. With a willing mind, you would be able to manage many situations confidently and accept any outcomes positively. You will learn to focus on the issue at hand instead of succumbing to emotions through unhealthy habits like binge eating.
Heartfulness Guided Meditation App
Everything you need to treat your binge eating disorder can be found in this meditation
app. You can:
- learn to meditate
- manage moods
- capture your experiences & thoughts
- track progress
- practice with a trainer. If you don’t wish to meditate alone, you can take the help of a trainer with hundreds of hours of meditation. The trainer will personally handhold you in your journey for relief from binge eating.
Give yourself the gift of calm, poise, and self-control by practicing Heartfulness meditation.
Heartfulness believes that meditation, an ancient yet timeless skill, should be shared for free. Everything in the app is free. Be it to practice meditation, attend master classes or seek the help of a personal trainer. What you will spend is only your time.
When can I see the results?
You will experience calm and clarity during and soon after meditation. Much like how it takes discipline and commitment for good body health, good mental health also requires your commitment to meditation. However, you will observe significant changes after just a few weeks of practice.
Download Heartfulness App. Begin your meditation. Feel the change.
Sathish Rajamani is an advertising professional, writer and literary translator. He has written many advertising campaigns, blog content and business features. His interests are learning Carnatic music, visiting ancient temples and practising meditation.
