When you binge eat, it’s likely that you’re trying to avoid feeling a certain way. There are various emotional triggers that can lead to this, and one of the most common is toxic friendships. Today I’m gonna break down the top three reasons why toxic friendships can cause binge eating.
 
#1: Toxic relationships deplete your energy.
 
Think about how much your energy is depleted by being in an unhealthy relationship. You don't binge eat when you’re in a high vibing state, you binge when you feel like crap and you’re vibing low. At the end of the day, toxic friendships do not nourish your soul. You actually have lower energy just by being in contact with these type of friends.  
 
#2: We crave connection.
 
As a human, you crave connection, and if you cannot create connection through things that elevate you and make you come alive, then you will more than likely meet your need for connection in a negative way. This usually looks like a toxic friendship, where you’re around someone just to commiserate about how the world sucks or to gossip, etc.
 
This type of interaction creates so much negativity in your life. And remember – why do you binge eat? To numb from negativity and emotional pain. This is why binge eating is totally affected by the energy we have in our lives each and every day.
 
Here’s an easy way to tell if a friendship is toxic or not – filter it. After you spend time with someone, ask yourself, “Do I feel happy and inspired after that interaction? Or depleted and drained?”
 
#3: Get out of relationships that cause you to people please.
 
People pleasing is a slippery slope. When you fall into people pleasing tendencies, what you are really saying is that you are not good enough. You are overcompensating to feel good enough and you are seeking validation from others.
 
You want to have friendships that are nourishing for your soul. Take inventory of whether or not your connections are positive or draining you. If it’s the latter, lovingly set a boundary to avoid people pleasing.
 
Here’s a tip you can use to help you avoid toxic friendships:
 
Stop looking for validation.
 
Stop spending your time looking for validation from other people. You are perfect the way you are. You don’t need anyone else’s approval. You don’t need to ask for compliments. You are love, so stop trying to get love. When you recognize that you’re in a relationship where you are seeking validation, stop and ask yourself, “Can I validate myself?”
 
It’s so important to protect your energy and have healthy boundaries in your relationships. If you have toxic friendships that are a drain on your life, slowly start to put in place loving boundaries that have your best interest as a priority.
 
Boundaries are something that we work on in my 6-month group month coaching program, The Society. To learn more, click here.