How to Soothe a Brain on Fire

Releasing overeating felt to me like turning on the burner of a gas stove.

That WHOOSH of anxious, self-conscious, and obsessive thought loops that ignited a couple of days after my last binge was overwhelming and, eventually, intolerable.   

Overeating provides quick, easy, (temporary) relief; but the weight gain and feelings of utter powerlessness around the food make the problem so much worse. 

Using food to quiet the anxious mind is like dousing a fire with gasoline. In order to overcome the food problem, we have to find our way through Fire Brain with new strategies that work.

Here are some strategies that help soothe Fire Brain when you release overeating:

1.     Eating Routines, such as meal planning, meal times and preparation, provide anchoring structure that you can trust (especially when your mind tells you otherwise).

2.     Specific Nutrition can help correct hormonal and chemical imbalance caused by overeating.

3.     A list of go-to activities that gently direct the mind away from obsessive thought loops about food.

4.     4-5-7 breathing instantly calms the nervous system (inhale 4 counts, hold 5, release 7).

5.     Serenity Letters – notes written during moments of peace and serenity to guide me through anxiety (using the “inner therapist” as a guide)

6.     Working with a professional to safely unload the anxious mind and look at core beliefs that may be especially disruptive or habitual.

7.     Prioritizing a calm internal state all throughout the day no matter what is going on around you. Pausing, Allowing, Centering consistently.

These techniques help create calming corrective experiences with healthy food and self-care to re-wire parts of the brain. 

If you need help to stop overeating, please schedule a free call with S&H.