How do you comfort yourself without food? (In lockdown?)

#1

Just as the title says. When you’re somewhat housebound, what actions do you take to comfort and soothe yourself, instead of addictive eating?

Maybe you’re no longer as hungry on this WOE. Or maybe you eat less regularly and are completely satiated when you do. Or maybe you are trying to ignore the cravings. So what do you do to fill those long hours once punctuated by meals and snacks?

This question is prompted by the sad realisation that it’s probably been a decade or more since I’ve had a really absorbing, enjoyable hobby that wasn’t drinking or eating.

Things that are working well for me:
*Hot showers and baths
*Doting on my dog
*Making a ridiculous blanket fort in the lounge to watch TV
*Bengal Spice tea
*Walking with music (if I’m energetic)
*Strolling with podcast (if I’m tired)
*Reading a few pages of an unchallenging, escapist book
*Writing on this forum

Things that are causing me more problems than they solve:
*Online shopping
*Working obsessively
*Scrolling online news and gossip

Interested in everyone’s ideas! I’m starting from a pretty low base, as you can see….

#2

I can’t imagine why I would comfort myself with food, honestly. Comfort and reward never was my reason to eat. I want good food all the time… Less so nowadays, carnivore(-ish) does things to me…
And I still need to eat way too often, it’s so not comfort to have a 5th meal or something without a need, ew. Sometimes I want to be a snake and stop eating every day, it can be a chore.
And I CAN’T overeat on my very low-carb woe. I just can’t. I bit into a pancake filled with egg stew yesterday evening… And I swallowed that bite but had to put the rest into the fridge.

We are humans. We don’t graze all day (okay some do. I never could, I eat too fatty food for that, all my life)… We need to do things… I eat more meals than ever nowadays, on “bad” days…
Oh but I think about food almost all the time! I cook and plan and everything! I just don’t eat until 3pm and after… 6-7? On good days as accidents happen.
There is a reason I write so many walls of texts on this forum :smiley: It’s almost always “food joy time”, just not eating time.

But what else if not food… I drink too many coffees and some tea. And listen to music. And go to walks. And draw… Chat with my best friend… It’s ZILLION things to do that have a big chance to cheer me up! I even have cats…
I should use my keyboard again… I attended music school and play the piano. Well, that’s it, no actual playing since too long. It’s very very nice though. Especially when I need to get off my mind of something as even though it’s not really conscious for me to play when I already know the piece, I just can’t think of bad things anymore, my mind is very focused in a relaxed way. So it’s not tiring, just soothing.

For me it’s always better when I do things myself, draw or play or sing. I like to look at drawings and listening to music (I am so so extremely inferior there) but doing it ourselves is special and precious.

(Butter Withaspoon) #3

I’m more or less housebound at the moment and struggling with it. Walks in nature each day should help, but when the weather is rainy I keep missing it.

I think what I’m missing most is something creative. Making something is absorbing and feels good. I’ve made a few short funny videos for groups I’m in and got a buzz out of that. But I’m thinking I need a project that lasts a few weeks. Maybe a music learning one. Or take up knitting again. Heck I should just draw pictures or write in a journal. All good thoughts… what are you interested in trying Camellia?

#4

You mentioned lockdown but I never had lockdown. I am a very rural country area and we never had a lockdown where I couldn’t leave my home and even our stores were open and all that jazz so thru it all I never experienced lockdown like many in bigger cities had to experience. So I never truly dealt with being housebound ever.

Only housebound was when I had neck surgery back in the day and couldn’t friggin’ move for 3 months or when I broke my ribs while riding my horse and 3 mos of healing but heck I was on pain meds and 3 mos flew by without me even being present HAHA

May I ask why are you housebound? Is it a real medical issue where you can’t get out?

First thing for me, being a super duper outside person who MUST be outside or I wither and die, is get out of the house.

Do a project in the garage. Take walks at all times…long friggin’ hikes from your home and bring a backpack and wander. I would find any place to put in a kayak or rent a canoe at a local state park but for me personally I need out of the house. So my whole being is get out of the house…I am not one to do hobbies. I don’t want indoor stuff ever. So my focus is if you can get out, get out LOL If you are kinda a homebody then I would try find a few new hobbies and have at it but a change of scenery, even into a garage or your backyard to do something means you do get out of the house.

So for me the pent up energy would drive me batty so for me it is all about getting outside in some fashion come heck or highwater :slight_smile:

hope you find what you are looking for.

#5

Lately, my escapism has been watching RV videos on YouTube. I don’t know why, I’ll never own a RV, but I like to imagine. :slight_smile:

This was the series that started it all.

GO NORTH - Full Original Series - YouTube

#6

we have been RV owners for near on 40 yrs now…from tents to truck camper while we pulled our boat to fish and now into RVs…oh heck yea…change of scenery and on wheels to move move move and find adventure and at the same time, it is our home on wheels literally. Omgosh I am a massive RV person…if you got an inkling you should go for it!! Never say never cause darn it is the best life out on the road, well it is for us :slight_smile:

#7

Inkling I’ve got, funding I do not. :smile:

#8

ohhh so many used great deals out there ya know and then you can boondock against paying for cg’s that cost…but of course ya gotta ‘want this lifestyle’ full in truly :slight_smile: I am truly just one of those people!!! I have been out with the smallest, cheapest tent from walmart and a coat and to me it is the cat’s meow ya know…RV of course is now living in luxury compared to my old days, but that is the way we rolled, we made sure the finances fit our life to include RV cause that was us :slight_smile:

get a tent and start…no need to go straight into monster RV into the 100s for purchase…or used pop up can be had for a few small thousands :slight_smile:

but again, it truly has to be something you really really wanna do or it isn’t worth spending a dime on at all LOL

#9

Great question Camellia. I think your list looks pretty good.

Like Hallie mentioned getting outside in a yard or garden might be a good focus.

I like to get outside in the morning sunshine with my Labrador and a cup of coffee. I aim to get at least 20 minutes of sunshine on my skin. But I wear a hat as my face has seen plenty of sunshine already. I look at the sky and clouds. Identify bird calls and try to see the birds. I look at the plants and see how they look and maybe water them. I like to do this in bare feet as I have a patch of non prickly pasture weeds under the olive tree I walk through for the sensation. The aim is to generate natural Vitamin D in combination with the healthy fats way of eating. But this suburban experience is a lesser form of forest bathing, or as our local first peoples call it, “Boodja ni”: ‘Listening’ to country with all your senses.

Which brings me to MOOCs. They are free online courses usually developed by universities. I did one on natural history illustration, I started one on education and engagement of student curiosity, and I’m doing one about indigenous language and culture. My wife is researching art therapy the same way.

Being on this forum is a good way to spend time. Especially using the search function and typing in things like “coffee”, PUFAs, etc

As for food, you make an excellent point of the social and hobby roles it plays in human lives. Cooking for others is very rewarding (unless it has been a daily task). But exploring nutrition is the next step past thinking about food, and particularly food as comfort or pleasure. There are other human behaviours to satisfy, other than pleasure, and those are novelty and curiosity. Interestingly they go hand in glove when it comes to nutrition. Exploring the highest nutrition food sources can be incredibly satisfying, not just in terms of satiety and abolishing hunger. I have been exploring charcuterie, and organ ‘meats’, and interesting foods from the sea, for examples. So much variety.

I agree hanging out with a good listener like one’s Labrador is top value time spent.

(Robin) #10

Oh man… great question. I remember the first time someone on here said to reward yourself in way as other than food. smart.
I am a reader, so I can spend all day on my rear, especially now that I am retired. And exercise does not seem to impact my weight. BUT… I want to stay strong and flexible. So I walk the dog. I also bought a rowing machine… and while rowing, I can get lost in movies, etc.

I can also spend $$$ online or fall down rabbit holes on social media, but I’m reigning myself in.

(Laurie) #11

Good question!

Finding “something to do” can be tricky for those of us who aren’t into typical hobbies or activities.

A couple of months ago I drove across Canada and back. I slept (or at least rested) in my small car, and occasionally in motels. I just loved it – the scenery, the small surprises and experiences, the free-floatingness of it. I grabbed fast food burger patties when I could, and ate canned sardines when I couldn’t. I didn’t shell out for an RV, but gas in Canada is expensive. If I lived in the US I’d probably take frequent road trips.

Next week I plan to drive a couple of hours up a local highway. Although it is a road to somewhere, at a certain point the road is now closed because of Covid. As there are no towns on this stretch, the road will be practically deserted. Just me and the buffalo, elk, bears, and trees.

Mostly though, I set up my new apartment and keep it clean.

Variety and balance are important. I don’t have just one Spanish learning app. I have about 10 – plus Spanish podcasts and YouTube documentaries on topics that interest me.

Habit and discipline help. I need lots of free time and flexibility, but not too much. I know what I should be doing at certain times of the day or evening. Idle hands …

I was thinking of doing volunteer work, but then I realized that it would just deplete me rather than fill me up. (For me, “working with people” is just work.) I’ve decided on Toastmasters instead, which will challenge me but also give me something in return.

I’m trying to start a Spanish conversation practice group in my new location, with no success so far. But figuring out ways to make it happen has been fun. I made a nice poster, and I might ask the local newspaper if they want to interview me about my idea.

I do 1.5 hours of exercise most days. I am motivated because it has really helped me; most notably, I am now able to walk without canes. I mostly do things that I actually enjoy (this is important). And I have enough alternatives to keep me going when certain exercises seem inconvenient or unappealing. Huge playlists of music I really enjoy. Again, finding ways to keep it interesting is part of the fun.

I do online puzzles and participate in interesting discussion groups (like this one).

I spend as much time on my balcony as possible. A comfortable chair, and no fridge staring me in the face.

Eating at night used to be a big problem, and still is sometimes. I admit it can be hard at times, especially when I’m too tired to really do anything else.

(Edith) #12

When the shutdown of the pandemic first started, I did a lot of crochet. I had little tiny projects like kitchen scrubbies, pot holders, and wash cloths that I made. It was fun watching the completed projects pile up. I also did more television watching than usual, but that was mostly done while I was crocheting. I spent a fair bit of time on Facebook connecting with people that way. I also tried to spend more time outside. Now that I am back in the office full-time (in an office with no windows for that matter) I am REALLY missing the outside time. I usually exercise in the morning before work, but after sitting in the dingy office all day long, I sometimes exercise again later in the day, just to work off the energy build up from sitting.

Oh yes, we let our daughters get pets: one got a rabbit and the other a parakeet, my husband redecorated our bedroom, and our backyard is looking better than it has in years past. I guess you could say we used the pandemic to get some things done around the house.

Music is also a great way to pass the time. I’m a singer and give concerts at assisted living places every so often, so I always have songs to be working on. Learning how to play piano or guitar or some other instrument would be a great hobby.

Ha, ha, the longer I work on this message, the more things come back to me. The other thing I did during the pandemic was take some online classes to learn some new skills for my job.

Omg, you have me cracking up about that!! :rofl::joy::rofl::joy:

That sounds awesome!!! I think I would LOVE to do that some day.

#13

I tell ya VE…the neck was the 3 mos of life I lived I couldn’t even remember…the broken ribs were WORSE than the darn neck actually and I KNOW I have no clue on what happened during that time but hubby said he babysat me all the time, huh? what? it is like life never existed to me LOL

I learned then I don’t ‘do well’ on pain meds haha BUT darn if I didn’t have them I don’t know if I would have survived…yea I woulda but that would have been the worse 6 mos. in my entire life I ever lived :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

I am not and will never be a pill taker for the sake of taking anything, you usually gotta tie me down and force pills down my throat, but those 2 times in my life, I couldn’t get my hands on those pill bottles fast enough :clown_face::scream_cat:

------- I’m a singer and give concerts at assisted living places every so often, so I always have songs to be working on. Learning how to play piano or guitar or some other instrument would be a great hobby.-------
I didn’t know that about you!! I love that you give your talent to others for enjoyment, so super cool–very kind and generous to make others happy!! :100:

#14

Oh I forgot! I can’t identify many bird calls but I love to identify animals (birds, mammals, even insects)… My SO and me both “collect” animal sightings and new species. I collected a kingfisher TWO times!!! It’s beautiful, I even made (bad) photos (it wasn’t close enough, I had only a few seconds and there was little light) :slight_smile: But I had very good close ups about swans! And a small egret but they are usual shy. Coots. Butterflies, hummingbird hawk-moths (still no proper photo where the wings aren’t a blue, 1/640s is way too long :D)… I really love the 300mm lens, great for birds, great for insects. And heavy and big and not comfortable so my SO carries it :smiley: It doesn’t fit into my backpack.
I never was a photographer, it’s my SO’s camera and lenses but I like animals and it’s so cool to get some okay photo of them… But if one to catch fishes, that is similarly a whole range of new knowledge. It’s good to learn new things. I should continue with my Italian and French and I never use my German…
I practice and improve my English, at least :smiley: I use it way more than my own language now.

But my identification mania doesn’t stop at animals. I collect mushrooms in the forest and identify them. It’s hard and even impossible sometimes, I don’t even try it if the mushroom is some white or tan thing… Even quite unique but not unique colored ones caused me problems. But I identified so many species :slight_smile: Of course I make photos too but even pretty mushrooms aren’t so easy to photograph beautifully. Some pros make wonderful art with them! And then and I go and read photography blogs… Ends up reading about portrait photography for hours… Not like I ever want to do that but it helps with my drawing and portraits are what I love most… But hell, I can’t help to look up which tool does what with the light…

If you are curious like me, the world is full with wonders you just must know about more!
(And what I do? Write about my eating a lot on this forum, sigh. Though it may result in new thoughts…)

Maybe that’s why I never understand how someone who feels okay (so no big headache, for example) and are at home with a computer (or not at home with a computer or a phone with internet access) can possibly be bored… Well I can’t be bored in the Nature with my brain and a sketchbook, at least not until many time passes…

I can play a lot too. With various games. Many of them are very simple but I need to use my brain.
Making games aren’t bad either if one is a programmer, I made a simple html5 game I actually played very much with afterwards… I designed simple but quite cute buttons (my drawings never have such good colors, I was inspired), my icons were inspired too and found free music and sounds, made anims… It had so much code for a simple game :smiley: I had to learn the framework I used and it took many other programs… It was fun. And making games for zillion different phones and browsers even nowadays (and of course, it must look good on my high-resolution computer screen too)? That’s challenging.

(Robin) #15

Another thought. If budget permits, I really loved a years subscription online to MasterClass. I watched “classes” from authors I love, designers, scientists, chefs, PR people, FBI hostage negotiator… so many diverse people and things to learn. I even took notes. It was mentally engaging and creatively inspiring. I think at the time, it was $90 a year.
Also… another thing I am currently doing is screening films for a local film festival. I am choosing to screen and rate mostly documentaries, since that is my fave. But there is a wide variety. It’s actually very fun and most film festivals rely on volunteers to screen for them. I highly recommend it if you are a film buff.

(UsedToBeT2D) #16

Keep busy. Paint the house.

(Kirk Wolak) #17

So, I found out that if I pet my dog for like 20 seconds, I get a dopamine hit!
It was cool, so I started doing it more, and noticed a bunch of positive side-effects.

Then I read some more, and found out the DOG Gets a dopamine hit.

Well, it’s the wifes dog… So I stopped petting it!!! (JK, ROTFLMAO)…
But it’s interesting, petting the dog longer actually affects your mood… COOL.
And the dog kinda likes it too!

#18

It works with cats too - if you choose the cat (and/or the cat’s actual mood) well. Knowing what the cat likes is useful.
We have a nice fluff and a playful silly cat, the first is calming, the second is fun. Sometimes the first one is fun too, she has her “kitten” moments too…

#19

These are all such excellent tips, thanks guys! I especially love and want to remember the following suggestions:

  • Keeping busy! This is so important for me. Even if it’s just “do the next thing” like cleaning or cooking or whatever. Just keeping busy in a mundane domestic way helps me avoid too much introspection and doomscrolling.
  • Seeking out novelty and curiosity can be just as satisfying as “pleasure”;
  • More time outside in the fresh air and sun, even if sitting in the yard doing nothing, soaking up the Vitamin D;
  • The right balance between flexibility and discipline. I too am not good with verrry unstructured time - a few basic routines help (see mundane domestic actions as above).
  • Patting, walking, and just hanging out with my dog watching the world go by, as a life-enhancing activity all in itself.
  • Music. I used to love listening to all kinds of music, now I can’t even recall the last time I listened to a whole album - maybe I could work my way through a self-guided introduction to jazz or something? There’s a lot of “Top 10 Greatest Albums of all time” sort of lists out there.
  • “Forest bathing” - I love this.
  • Reassurance that exploring and learning about optimal nutrition is actually a really worthwhile interest and goes beyond diet/food obsession. That is a helpful way to think for me.

I am not literally housebound, thank god, that was an exaggeration. But we are under stay-at-home orders due to COVID so only supposed to spend 1 hour per day outside of our property. I am lucky to have a backyard and access to plenty of relatively-secluded nature walks nearby. I’m going to keep returning to this thread to remind myself how lucky I am to have all these options.

(Scott) #20

No lockdown here, been doing the same thing I have always done before and after covid. I have a business that is “essential” but not really. No one has missed a day and no masks have been worn inside the office. Just the way we roll.