Sometimes it’s not about the food, but about the emotions behind the food. Imagine these scenarios: As teens, we all get a little angry and frustrated sometimes. Maybe your boyfriend didn’t call to say good night; a friend called you a name behind your back; your mom won’t let you go out this weekend. These are all reasonable things to get upset about. But if you find yourself reaching for a candy bar or bag of chips to calm you down, maybe it would help to take a close look at the feelings that are driving you to eat, rather than worrying about the actual eating behavior itself. And one of those emotions might be anger: Chronically angry people often become addicted to food, alcohol, or drugs to relieve the tension and pressure, but dealing with the anger itself can help you avoid these self-destructive traps.
Grrrrrrr
If you find that your anger is always simmering on the back burner, waiting to explode, well, maybe you need to take a closer look at this volatile emotion. You might need help controlling your anger if:
- Eating helps calm the inner storm
- You find yourself flying out of control
- You have frequent arguments with your family or friends
- You have out-of-control behavior, such as driving recklessly or throwing things
- You often feel impatient, irritable, and on the edge
Take notice of your emotions – does the anger or rage never seem to go away? The smallest things might make you angry and cause you to become aggressive. It could be triggered by a seemingly small event, such as being cut off by another car in traffic. All of a sudden, the anger gets out of control, and you find yourself screaming, yelling and making threats.
But although anger might feel sometimes like a devil possessing you inside, it is possible to control it. The best thing to do, instead of eating yourself to calmness, is to just step back, and breathe while slowly counting to ten. I know you’ve probably been hearing this since kindergarten but it really does work.
Other anger management techniques are:
Relax. Take up meditation – it will help you to clear your mind and better understand situations around you. Maybe even find your own mantra – a phrase that you repeat to yourself over and over again like “I’m calm,” or “Calm down,” “Chill out,” or even just “Relax.”
Exercise. Exercising helps to release tension. The next time you feel like you’re about to explode, instead of eating, try going for a run around the block, a power walk in the park, or a quick swim before returning to the situation.
Talk about it. Once your mind is clear, express your feelings about the situation so that you can find a logical solution.
Body talk. Be aware of physical symptoms of anger, such as clenched teeth or jaw, or a stiff neck. Try to focus on the tense area and relax.
Productivity. Try to re-channel all that angry energy in a positive direction. For example, if you are furious at your mom, try going on a cleaning frenzy instead of hiding in your room, bingeing on sweets.
The result? Chances are you’ll have a healthier relationship with food, enjoy better communication with the important people in your life, and even have better health, because you’re less stressed out.
So chill out. It’s a cool place to be.
This article has been reviewed by BodiMojo health expert Tara Cousineau, PhD.
A Double Edge
Depression and anger are two sides of the same coin.
