Hunger is one of the most primal drives that humans experience, but it certainly isn’t the only need to which you must attend. Far too many people attempt to use food to meet these other needs, often to the detriment of their overall health and well-being. Part of leading a balanced lifestyle includes being able to identify and satisfy some basic needs in an appropriate manner. These needs include, but are not limited to
- Adequate, quality sleep
- Physical activity
- Appropriate medical care
- Connecting with other people (emotionally, physically, spiritually, intellectually, and socially)
- Expressing emotions and thoughts
- Respect
- Rewards
- Pleasure
- Relaxation
How about you? Do you look to food to manage these needs? Do you eat when you are tired? Stressed? Bored? Lonely? Anxious? Do you reward yourself with food? Do you feel like you haven’t taken a legitimate break from work unless you’ve had something to eat? Is food your primary sensual pleasure?
If you’ve answered yes to some or most of these questions, it’s time to take a serious look at your behaviors and evaluate how you can begin meeting these needs in a healthier way. It never hurts to talk to someone you trust or to seek out a qualified counselor to help you identify and develop ways of satisfying your legitimate needs as a human being. The following story shows how one of my clients learned how to meet her own needs and break an emotional eating pattern.
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