3 Effective Ways to Deal With Boredom Eating
By Genevieve Cunningham
When the colder weather rolls around, boredom tends to set in. Though we have more things to do inside than ever before, there's something about being stuck indoors that causes us to feel stifled. Bored. And while being bored certainly isn't the worst thing in the world, it often comes with a very pesky bad habit. Boredom eating. When we don't have anything else to do, we reach for the snacks. Unfortunately, this can lead to weight gain, bad skin, poor sleep -- and all of the other symptoms of bad eating habits. Luckily, this habit can be broken. If you need a little help breaking the boredom eating habit, take a look at these three tips to try starting now.
Surround Yourself With Healthy Foods
If you're going to boredom eat, you may as well eat healthy foods. Surround yourself with healthy foods. Stock your refrigerator with fresh fruits and vegetables. Throw out the sweet snacks and chips. Avoid grabbing quick, pre-packaged convenience food. Don't even put unhealthy food on the grocery list. If your only option is to eat healthy food when you're bored, it may not be such a bad habit after all.
Replace Eating With an Activity
If you're not thrilled about restocking your pantry, try replacing the eating habit with an activity. When you're bored, reach for the yoga mat or the boxing gloves instead of the snacks. Try playing a game or working on a puzzle. Do anything that you enjoy that can get your mind off of food. This will require some self-discipline, as you'll have to rewire your brain, but avoiding this bad eating habit will definitely be worth it.
Get Away From the Snacks
Another option is to simply get away from the snacks altogether. Literally remove yourself from temptation. If you're feeling bored, head to the library or the park. Get outside and soak in some sun. Go see a friend. If the temptation isn't available, you can't indulge, and you may be able to skip the development of this habit completely.
Boredom eating is both incredibly common and incredibly bad for you. It's a serious cause of weight gain and over-consumption. Luckily, you don't have to give in! Use these tips to fight back and keep yourself healthier than ever.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Pittsburgh, Pa.