Food & Money with Joy & Laura
Please note: this episode contains discussions about eating disorders and disordered eating.
Welcome back to Financially Naked: Stories from the Financial Gym! In this episode, we delve into the intricate world of eating disorders and their connection to spending habits. Led by Joy, our Certified Trainer Advisor, and joined by her client Laura, a licensed therapist specializing in eating disorders, we explore how emotional eating intersects with our financial decisions. Throughout the conversation, we navigate the complexities of disordered eating and spending, shedding light on misconceptions and offering valuable insights.
Podcast Notes
Laura shares her experience as a therapist working day-to-day as someone who focuses on patients struggling with eating disorders. She works with groups and individuals, helping them through the recovery process.
The conversation touches on the cultural influences shaping attitudes towards food and the blurred lines between normal and disordered eating behaviors. So many of us grew up in some version of diet culture and have biases shaped by society.
Joy and Laura emphasize that disordered eating involves complex dynamics beyond surface-level symptoms. It can start to impact other parts of your life or manifest in social isolation and severe behaviors.
The Impact of Social Media
Joy and Laura explore the parallels between disordered eating and overspending. Both behaviors can be rooted in deeper emotional issues or feelings of a lack of control.
We all grew up in some diet culture, but social media is still relatively new. Social media can directly impact your body image and other feelings. Laura reminds her clients that it is all curated, made up, and full of filters.
If social media makes you feel negative, you can curate your feed to fill your cup and see positive content that makes you feel good. Social media is not bad, but we want to use it mindfully, not self-sabotage.
Always check if the information you learn on social media comes from a reliable source. It's important to work with professionals and a support network, especially during a recovery process.
Healing and Recovery
Laura and Joy discuss strategies for the healing process, including identifying personal strengths and working on deeper reflection and insight.
They suggest strategies for identifying triggers and unhealthy patterns, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and seeking healthier coping mechanisms. If you are struggling, seek the help of a professional.
Emotional regulation and impulse control can help in managing both eating and spending behaviors. You can try breathing or journaling to help center yourself and bring some awareness to the moment.
Try to replace unhealthy coping mechanisms with healthier alternatives. By understanding the underlying needs driving certain behaviors, you can seek constructive ways to fulfill those needs.
Final Thoughts
The episode concludes with reflections on the evolving perceptions of body positivity and wellness trends. Trends move fast, and advice can be problematic or incorrect. Always talk to your doctor before trying something new.
Disordered eating is not always rooted in vanity or superficial concerns; rather, they serve as coping mechanisms for underlying emotional issues.
Joy and Laura emphasize the importance of not making assumptions about someone's physical or financial health based on appearance, highlighting the diverse experiences and challenges different individuals face.
They encourage listeners to approach conversations about disordered eating and spending with empathy and sensitivity.
If you want to work with a Certified Financial Trainer to help navigate your finances, schedule a free warm-up call today! If you have any ideas or questions for the show, send an email to trainerpodcast@fingyms.com.