I Know What to Do... But I'm Too Overwhelmed to Do It!

with Mindfulness and Gratitude

Author

Peggy Gleason
June 11, 2025

I can’t tell you how often women come to me and say,


 "Dr. Peggy, I know what I should be eating… but everything’s falling apart right now. I’m tired, stressed, and the only food near me is a vending machine. What do I do?"

I went through this myself this week while my loved one was in ICU. Here is what I want to share:

Let me start with this:


 You’re not failing. You’re surviving.

Life doesn’t ask permission before it throws chaos your way.

Maybe it’s a family emergency.

Maybe work feels like a tidal wave.

Maybe you're just exhausted and the thought of cooking something healthy feels like running a marathon in flip-flops.

I’ve been there.

If you’re reading this and nodding along, I want you to take a deep breath and hear me when I say: you don’t need to be perfect to feel better.

Let’s talk about what you can do, even when your world feels upside-down.

🧭 Start with One Mindful Moment

If your lunch options look like a vending machine and a prayer, don’t panic.

Choose the best available option—not the perfect one.

Maybe it's trail mix instead of chips.

Or a granola bar instead of candy. Progress, not perfection.

Before you eat, pause for just 10 seconds. Take a breath.

Ask yourself:


👉 “What does my body really need right now?”


Even in crisis, that one breath can bring you back to yourself.

☕ Is Coffee Your Lifeline?

I get it.

Caffeine feels like the only thing keeping you upright.

Here’s the deal: the more coffee we drink when we’re already stressed, the more our energy crashes—and then we reach for sugar or more coffee to fix it.

If you’re running on empty, try alternating water between cups of coffee.

Add a squeeze of lemon for a quick refresh. It doesn’t fix everything, but it helps.

🍎 Bring Back Focus with "Better, Not Perfect"

When your brain is overloaded, your habits default to survival mode.

Instead of overhauling your entire diet, start with one better choice each day.

  • A banana grabbed from a gas station over a donut.

  • A string cheese instead of crackers.

  • Eating without scrolling your phone for five minutes.

These aren’t small. They’re powerful.

❤️ Give Yourself Grace

When life is spinning, sometimes the healthiest thing isn’t kale—it’s compassion.

You will find your rhythm again. Your energy will return. The fridge will be stocked again. But for now? Be kind to the woman who’s doing the best she can in hard circumstances.

If you’re in that season right now—overwhelmed, tired, unsure what to eat next—I see you.

And I want you to remember this:


You don’t need to have everything figured out to take one small, loving step toward yourself.

You’ve got this. And I’m cheering you on, every bite of the way. 💛

Warmly,


 Dr. Peggy
Certified Psychology of Eating Coach
 Helping professional women build confidence through food, without guilt or restriction.

P.S. Join Dr. Peggy’s Stop Emotional Eating Skool Community, where we dive deeper into mindful eating, emotional balance, and how to break free from the cycle of stress-driven eating.

💬 Inside the group, you’ll get:
✔️ Expert guidance from Dr. Peggy on emotional eating and energy balance
✔️ A supportive community of like-minded women on the same journey
✔️ Practical tips, challenges, and strategies to create a healthier relationship with food

Let’s eat with purpose and fuel our body, mind, and soul together! 💛

This exclusive community is designed for professional women who are ready to break free from emotional eating, boost their confidence, and develop a healthier relationship with food—without restrictive diets.

Join now to be the first to access expert-led courses, live Q&As, and a supportive network of like-minded women! 💃✨ 

Stay tuned for updates and just click the link if you want to be one of the first to join!