Compassion during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Yesterday, I sat at my kitchen counter, told Alexa to play this song and let some tears fall. I was sitting with my 16 year old son and he thought this was hysterical (only as a teenage boy could). He yelled up to his sister so she could also witness Mom falling apart.

There was a time in my life when I wouldn’t have allowed myself to feel so much. I would dismiss uncomfortable feelings. I didn’t want to cry or fall apart. I just wanted to stay in control, stick to my routine, and stay on plan. Especially around food. I needed to eat all the right foods and work-out as often as I could. By staying in control I could avoid sadness, anxiety, loneliness and anger.

For the past few weeks, and for who knows how many weeks to come, our familiar routines have vanished. We can’t freely do some of the simplest of things, like drive to our yoga studio or gym, meet up with friends and loved ones, and buy some essential products in our stores.

Trying to control the uncontrollable is no longer an option.

I heard a news report that people are eating more comfort foods, which isn’t real news to me. Everyone is seeking some form of comfort right now. How has it been for you?

If there is a silver lining in any of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s this. We’re being challenged. Our old safety mechanisms are no longer available. 

Creating a way to navigate this moment and the next one will look and feel differently for everyone. I had a fantastic conversation with my friend Dr. Tiffany Denny on my podcast Hungry: Trust Your Body. Free Your Mind. She and I agree that we must move forward with compassion for ourselves and others.

This was one of my biggest personal shifts in my own relationship with food and my body. I practiced self compassion, which meant I could be softer and kinder around how I treated myself. I could let go of the rigidity of plans and give myself permission to be more gentle.

With compassion, we slow down and experience life in a richer and deeper way.

Earlier this week, I caught this video on FB. I felt so light as I laughed and laughed and let some tears fall.

With love and connection~

Tara

Emotional Eating and COVID-19

Life with COVID-19 is pretty crazy right now.

Have you noticed that your emotions are also pretty intense and volatile?

In no particular order, you may feel:

• Annoyed. Enough already. How much longer do we need to deal with this?

• Worried. What’s going to happen to our economy, our jobs, our health, and our sanity?

• Crazy. Am I the only one not worried about this?

• More Crazy. Why am I worried and those around me aren’t?

• Sad. I’m missing out, those around me are missing out. Life isn’t supposed to work this way.

• Angry. I don’t like not having control over things that are important to me.

• Anxious. I’m worried for the future.

• Relieved. Yes! I get to slow down, catch up on sleep and relax. A forced slow down sounds good to me right now.

• Grateful. My family and friends are safe. I may not be able to get TP at the grocery store, but they have plenty of fresh fruit and veggies. At least I have power in our home and an internet connection.

• Frustrated. I can’t seem to focus or settle down.

• Eager. I’m ready for life to return to normal.

How about all of the above?

I acknowledge you. If this is what you’re experiencing, I understand. I feel it, too. You’re not alone.

You may feel so much that you may turn to food to feel better.

Here’s the thing.

Food can comfort. Food can distract. Food can soothe. Food can make you feel safe.

When your body feels like it’s on overload, food can make you physically feel better.

Food can be all of those things. But it doesn’t have to be.

There are other ways to support and comfort yourself during these unprecedented times.

Now is the time for more self compassion and kindness toward yourself. Let yourself just be with all that you feel.