BODY LANGUAGE
Sometimes the way we talk about our bodies gives expression
to our emotional conflicts. When your emotional pain is too upsetting, those feelings
can be converted into physical sensations.
For example:
"I don’t want to think about that fight with my friend.
I ate so much that my stomach hurt, and
that’s all I can think about." (ie,
It’s too emotionally painful to think
about it, but that fight with my friend really hurt my feelings)
"Just thinking about dating gives me a headache." (ie,
Thoughts of dating make me feel scared, upset, and vulnerable)
Food cravings can also reflect an unmet need. If you are unsatisfied in your life, and
crave the “sweetness” of connection, comfort, or satisfaction, you may talk
about it in terms of food, rather than emotional needs.
“I’m in the mood for ice cream.” (I need
comfort)
“I can’t get enough candy.”
(I don’t have enough kindness,
love, friends…)
Physical emptiness may be a way of denying needs.
“I like purging. I
like the feeling of being empty.” (I don’t want any messy feelings)
“I like being really hungry.
It feels clean.” (I don’t want to need or want anything or
anyone)
Translate your “body language” into emotional needs, wants or conflicts.
What emotional pain are you aware of right now?
What, or who, is hurting your feelings?
What, or who, is making you ache with sadness, anger, fear,
or anxiety?
What does it mean to be empty? Clean?
Do emotions register as dirty or messy?
What needs and wants are you turning away from?
What kind of sweetness do you need in your life?
Physical pain can go away more easily than emotional pain. If your stomach hurts from eating too much, you will feel better after that food is digested. Emotions are not so easily metabolized. The key is to first identify the emotions that you are translating into physical sensations, then learn to process them. When you can work through your emotions and/or conflicts, you will be less likely to use food as a way to express them.
Legal Disclaimer: The content on this site is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as psychotherapy or as a substitute for psychotherapy advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Comments and questions are welcome. Please share on Facebook and/or Twitter so more people can benefit from the information on this blog.
Legal Disclaimer: The content on this site is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as psychotherapy or as a substitute for psychotherapy advice, diagnosis or treatment.