Why We Turn to Food When the World Feels Out of Control
In this episode, Alana explores why emotional overeating often intensifies during times of collective global stress, such as political upheaval, economic instability, or health crises. She dives into the science behind how our nervous systems are wired to seek safety and comfort—sometimes turning to food as a soothing anchor when uncertainty abounds. Alana discusses how the disruption of routines and loss of predictable anchors can lead us to use eating as a coping ritual, and she highlights the “I deserve this” loop that can make food feel like our main refuge. Through personal insights and examples from her work, Alana encourages self-awareness and compassion, offering listeners practical ways to diversify their sources of comfort and establish new grounding rituals beyond food.
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Takeaways
Emotional eating is a common response to stress.
It's important to recognize that you're not alone in this experience.
The nervous system plays a crucial role in how we respond to stress.
Food can become a source of predictability during uncertain times.
Collective behavior influences individual eating habits.
Changing deep-rooted patterns takes time and awareness.
Chapters
03:10 Understanding the Nervous System's Role
08:01 The Deserve This Loop and Its Implications
11:22 The Search for Control Amidst Chaos
14:49 Generational Trauma and Emotional Eating
18:06 Rewiring Survival Patterns for Healing
19:06 Practical Steps for Managing Emotional Eating
