The stress is getting to you. So you head for the kitchen.
This is a bad combination, and GenuLines wants to help you break the tendency.
You Can Stop Stress Eating With These 5 Steps
Stress eating can happen to any of us during any stressful situation. When times are tough you might turn to food for emotional shelter.
This is not a healthy way to deal with stress. It can often cause weight gain, depression, and low self-esteem.
Here are some tips to help you keep stress on a short leash.
Food Choices
You want to start with a healthy diet. Stressful times make us turn to junk food for comfort.
Things like chips, chocolate, candy and anything sweet.
You can create a food diary. This lets you track what you eat, when you eat, and what times you’re hungriest. And you’ll identify your trigger food(s).
You don’t want to drop all your favorite foods because this will only tempt you more. But what you do want to do is to make healthier food choices.
Switch out your junk food for healthy food. You’ll feel better.
And smart eating helps to decrease your appetite and improve your health in general.
Exercise
Stress can leave you depressed and overwhelmed. This is where exercise comes into play.
No need to run to the gym or go out and buy a treadmill.
A simple close to home workout can suffice. Go jogging, running, play a sport, or go walking.
Physical activity kicks up your brain’s feel good neurotransmitters, also known as endorphins.
Meditation
Meditation is a powerful tool used for stress, anxiety, and depression. It helps lower your stress levels and brings you into a relaxed and soothing mood.
Even if you only meditate for 5 minutes, you’ll feel a difference. Make it a daily practice.
Prevent Boredom
Unconscious eating can be a result of boredom. To prevent boredom, do activities throughout your day.
For example, you can paint, draw, try out pottery, knitting, or even sewing.
There are many things you can do to fill up your day no matter where you live. Visit an art gallery, learn a new language, read a book, visit family or friends to help prevent boredom.
When your mind is struggling with something, you won’t focus on food unless necessary.
Support
Calling a friend or family member for support is a great option to help with stressful eating. In fact, some other options such as joining a support group or signing up for therapy might help you even more!
Speaking to a professional helps you identify your stressors and food triggers. And you can set up a plan that works best for you.
A support group can surround you with other people who are meeting the same challenge as you. Having a team to back you will feel inspiring and uplifting.
JohnK 7-5-2021
Overheard: “It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it” ~Hans Selye
Article image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay
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