Post-Indulgence Recovery: How to Restore Balance After Overeating

The Body’s Innate Desire for Balance

The body is genius. It has an innate desire to be in balance and harmony. However, it can’t do it alone; it needs our help. Simply put, when we overeat or consume unhealthy foods, we’ll feel the consequences. Symptoms such as bloating, gas, indigestion, heartburn, headaches, itchy eczema, breakouts, low energy, fuzzy head, irritability, etc. signal that our body is not balanced.

Recognizing the Signals

These signals and symptoms occur when our body is out of balance. Personally, my key indicators are my stomach and skin. When I overeat something my body doesn’t agree with, such as sugar, carbs, or highly processed junk foods, my body immediately lets me know.

My stomach gets bloated and full, I feel lethargic and foggy-headed, and my skin breaks out in eczema

The Impact of Diet on Well-Being

Our body is an extraordinary temple. Every part is interconnected, forming a perfectly crafted internal ecosystem of interdependency. Therefore, what we eat directly affects how we feel, our mood, our thoughts, and our overall health and well-being.

What we eat directly affects how we feel on many levels. Our job is to heed the signals and act accordingly rather than attempting to suppress the symptoms altogether.

Through many years of practicing the art of tuning into my body, I’ve gotten pretty good at deciphering what serves me and what doesn’t. I’ve learned that when I eat certain foods, my stomach and skin will highly disagree, even though my taste buds might temporarily enjoy it.

Balancing Indulgence and Reality

Do I cut myself off from these things indefinitely? No way, because that’s not realistic. Nor is depriving yourself entirely of things you enjoy.

We can’t live in a bubble, maintaining a “perfect” diet forever. There is no such thing. Plus, it’s highly unsustainable and very unhealthy.

Sometimes, we overeat and over-indulge in the food we enjoy, “the guilty pleasures.” And that is okay! It’s how we bounce back that is the important thing.

Where Most People Get Stuck with Overeating

Usually, where people get stuck after a binge is in the aftermath. They beat themselves up for having no control and willpower. The spiral of negative thinking and harsh self-talk leads them to seek more comfort from food, and the cycle easily continues.

A Mindset Shift to Recover From Overeating

The number one tool I teach my clients for recovering from overeating and restoring harmony to the system is proper self-talk. It is more important than anything else you’ll do in service to repair your relationship with your body and food.

How you speak to yourself about your choices is more important than the choices themselves. Bashing yourself for overeating is part of what keeps the cycle intact. Your food choices will significantly change when you learn how to turn toward yourself with more compassion, patience, and curiosity.

Lifestyle Habits to Bounce Back From the Binge

I like to think of essential lifestyle habits as anchors. They anchor you back to yourself, helping you feel rooted and grounded, and set the foundation for other healthy habits.

Probiotics

Probiotics set me on the right track every time I overeat foods that don’t agree with my body. They’re absolutely essential every day. Probiotics are healthy bacteria for your gut, keeping your digestive functions working properly, maintaining regular elimination of toxins, maintaining a strong immune system (75% of your immune system is housed within your gut!), and supporting a healthy weight.

Hydration

Drink half your body weight in ounces of water per day. Take your weight, divide it in half, and drink that many ounces of water every day, minimum. Water helps flush your entire system, including the circulatory system, which is responsible for healthy skin. It balances your taste buds, eliminating cravings for salty, sugary processed foods, and coats your stomach, making you more inclined to choose healthier foods. After overeating, water should be the first go-to.

Minerals: L-lysine & Zinc

L-lysine is an amino acid that supports skin and tissue repair. Eczema has been a challenge for me most of my life. Since changing my diet many years ago, I have almost completely cured myself naturally. However, my body is still very sensitive to triggers. When I have an outbreak, I know I need to give special attention to repairing my skin and rebalancing my body.

Zinc is a mineral that supports antioxidants, skin health, the immune system, and proper digestion.

First Meal of the Day

What you eat first thing in the morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. If you go for sugary carbs, your body will crave them at the next meal. Instead, go for high-protein (eggs, meat, etc.) and raw, whole foods (fresh fruit, fresh-pressed green juice, a smoothie, etc.)

Movement

Sweat it out. The best way to hit the reset button for your body, release toxins, and feel light is through movement. Find what works for you. Choose a movement that feels great in your body!

In Summary: You Can Heal From Binge-Eating

You don’t have to live with the burden of binge eating for the rest of your life. There is a way out of this tricky pattern. It takes time, mindfulness, patience, and learning how to cultivate a healthy relationship with yourself.

If you want more support in healing from disordered eating, click here to schedule your complimentary consultation. Sacred Body School is also open for enrollment! Click here to learn more.