Your boss is on your tail, your workload seems unmanageable, and your relationship problems are getting you down in the dumps; while diving into the Neopolitan ice cream seems like your only option, please step away from the spoon. It’s easy to turn to food as a way out, as some kind of stress relief, but after finishing off that entire jar of peanut butter, you not only solved none of your problems, but you have successfully managed to feel even worse for the amount of wasteful calories you just consumed. Food is not a solution to your problems, it may give you temporary relief, but in reality the dangerous consequences of emotional eating are much more damaging to your mental and physical health.
Uncover Why You Are Turning To Food
Don’t dig a deeper hole for yourself when times are rough or when you are bored, instead try a new approach to overcoming stress eating. One way to beat this habit is to uncover what is truly bothering you. Approach your problems honestly in order to truly understand the meaning and cause of your unhappiness. After you dig up the root, you will then know how to tackle the issue and cut it down. A great way to implement that tactic is to journal. Journaling is an excellent way to confront your feelings head on and to say whatever you want to say in a safe, confined environment. You are allowed to vent with no repercussions. You can yell and cry and curse and release all your frustrations onto a page which is an empowering action that can take the place of drowning your sorrows in pudding.
Sweat Out Your Frustrations
Another good venting venue is hitting the gym. Whether you unleash your frustration in an intense kickboxing class, or unwind in a yoga or Pilates class, exercise can be a physical way to relieve worry and anxiety. Exercise is a known Confidence Booster, and when you are down, confidence can save the day.
Use Your Friends
Make a date with your friends to take your mind off your worries. Instead of meeting for drinks and gorging over dinner, walk the dog around the park or go to the art exhibit you have been dying to see. Friends are a support system that should be utilized not only for celebrating, but for when times are hard. And unlike Oreos, friends talk back, give you support, make you laugh, and can relieve pain in a positive way.
Try Something New
Finally, an effective way to stand up against emotional eating is to take yourself out of your own problems by finding a new hobby, and helping others along the way: volunteer. Not only are you helping others, but this is a positive distraction to your own tribulations. You can feel good about yourself and what you are doing, rather than moping around and eating without care or regard. Look up a local soup kitchen, or a women’s shelter or other charity that you are interested in and by filling your time with positive experiences you can counter the negative feelings that lead to emotional eating.
Avoid falling into the trap of emotional eating and develop healthy alternatives and habits to keep you out of that dangerous rut. You are the keeper of your own eating destiny and have control over when, what and why you eat. Put that power into practice, eat when you are hungry and make healthy choices.
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