How to Manage Your Weight When Living With a Mental Illness

A lot of us can feel down and/or anxious about our weight or even feel guilty for not being healthier and energetic. As well, if a person is suffering with depression or anxiety their appetite, energy levels, self-esteem and weight can all be negatively affected. If you are currently dealing with depression, you probably don’t feel like being very active and prefer to have some personal time at home. Depression and other mental illnesses also cause individuals to neglect their health because they are focused on other pressing issues, therefore thoughts of healthy eating and exercising can easily slip away. 

If you or someone you love are experiencing grief, anxiety, depression or other mental illnesses you could also be eating very little due to these overwhelming emotions, which puts you at risk of becoming malnourished and underweight. This article is going to explore various ways to manage your weight when living with a mental illness and we hope it can relieve some of the pressure for any one out there who is struggling. 

Medications

It is important to have a talk with your doctor about your current feelings, your weight and any medications or medical conditions that might be impacting your weight. My speaking with your health professional you may become aware of an alternative medication that doesn’t have weight gain or loss side effects. 

Control Food Portions

This is a tip we all need to master. Did you know that restaurants today have a tendency to serve two to three times the amount of a healthy portion? We have added 570 calories a day to our diet since the late 70’s and half of those calories are due to large portions. Because these portions have become the new norm, we have carried this into our own home cooking. Try using a smaller plate and be mindful of your serving sizes. 

Eat Slowly and Chew Your Food

Sometimes when we are feeling anxious or down and just want to leave a situation we can scoff down a massive meal in a short period of time and result in feeling overly full and sick. It takes an average of 20 minutes for your brain to realize that your stomach is full. Try getting in sync with your digestive schedule to save yourself the discomfort and to trim your waistline. 

Keep a Food Journal 

Whether you are concerned that you are eating too much or not enough, a food journal is a great way of holding yourself accountable for everything you put in your mouth. By doing this you can pick up on patterns of eating behavior and find a more balanced eating regime. 

Support 

Everyone needs support so reach out to your friends and family and ask for some. We know this may sound intimidating but we can guarantee you will thank yourself for it.