How Social Isolation Increases Your Disordered Eating Patterns

We have been living in a time where we have been more isolated than ever. This past year we have been told to stay away from one another, stay in our homes, and socially distance. Physical distance may have been necessary, yet social connection was and is more important than ever.

Dr. Porges, who created the Polyvagal Theory says,

“We as humans seek safety, and this feeling of safety is based on social connectedness, which provides both mental and physical health. Being safe is not the equivalent of removing a threat.”

Something that can often occur when navigating patterns of disordered eating or eating disorders is a tendency toward isolation. There can be an abundant amount of shame and self judgment around the patterns and habits that are playing out with food and body. Yet, disordered eating behaviors, including chronic dieting, restriction, binge eating, and overexercising, are ways to support the body in feeling safe. These patterns, practiced over and over again, become a part of your comfort zone making them feel safe in the short term. What they do not provide is a sense of safety in the body long term.

What can provide the body with a sense of safety long term, that can transform your relationship with food, is feeling connected and attuned to yourself and others. Our bodies talk to each other on a body to body level. When you see someone's body language, gestures, facial expressions, and experience someone else's safe touch it can regulate your nervous system long term. This is why when healing patterns of disordered eating, it's not just about changing the way you eat and move. It is also about how you're supporting your body in feeling safe by who you surround yourself with and how you interact with yourself internally no matter what happens externally.

When we feel stressed and overwhelmed, our mammalian brain takes over where our habitual actions are more pronounced. If the only way you have known how to self soothe and feel grounded again is by reaching for food, this habit will be present in the face of stress as, Porges explains, "it mimics the experience of social interaction." While it may feel counterintuitive to reach out for support when feeling the urge to engage in a familiar eating or physical movement habit, this is actually what is needed to support the body in getting the experience of safety it is looking for.

If you're currently in the process of healing from disordered eating patterns, find one person who you trust, who wants to support you, has been there for you, and can be there for you as a different choice you can choose that can provide more emotional satiation and safety to your body long term, something that food can never do.

An increase in social connection can lead to a decrease in disordered eating patterns.

You're never truly alone. I'm also here and honored to be that person for you.