Once people learn what binge behavior is and identify with it, they are often quite surprised. “You mean drinking 5 drinks at one event is a binge drinking event?” they ask.

Now comes the question of “Why?”  Why does a person drink so many drinks at one sitting or eat so much food at one meal or snack? It could serve a purpose: repressing unwanted emotions (such as fear and loneliness), abandonment, or anxiety. It could serve the purpose of comforting or soothing yourself.

So what? you ask. Like binge drinking, if you only do it once a year, it’s no big deal. If you only eat the whole cake once a year, it was a bad day. But, binge behavior, such as binge eating is habit forming. It’s hard work, too. At the same time you are experiencing feelings, you are trying to suppress them. Food may be your way to repress your emotions.

So, it goes like this. I feel something – I have to eat to repress the feeling. – and it doesn’t last because I feel something else – and I have to eat more. To make matters more complicated, the feelings are attached to events that have long passed. Either way, people are addicted to deadening themselves.

The way out is to Gradually live with what is; become aware of feelings, thoughts, impulses and the million things that catch our attention. If you’ve been around people when they are newly sober, you’ll hear them talk about the magnificent sunrise or breathing clean air as though they had never noticed them before. They’re right. They were so shut down they could not become aware of nature.

Changing binge behavior is rarely a straight path. Uncomfortable feelings can send people back to the same reactions. Don’t give up. Create a safe place or practice, such as meditation or deep breathing. You’ll realize that it is liberating to live your life fully, and you’ll be in control of your behaviors.

Yoga practice begins with awareness of the breath. The breath is synced to movement, so we feel breath / energy move in our body. As we get used to this feeling, it becomes uncomfortable to block this feeling with food.

Deep relaxation practice keeps our nervous system in check. Tensing and relaxing each muscle group brings awareness of letting go, even fear-based responses.

In Meditation practice, we allow ourselves to separate from reactions to thoughts and emotions. We notice. We see. We keep breathing. We allow the thought to come and go and finally see that it is the nature of mind to offer thoughts but it is not mandatory that we react to them.

When supportive practices are developed, you will see clearly if you are ready to change. Be compassionate and take it slow. Let the binges decrease. This behavior is not serving you.

Loka Samastha Sukino Bhavantu said, “May all beings be free and happy.” Free yourself. Be with it and you will free with it!

After all, isn’t that why we celebrate Independence Day?!