You Don't Need Food for Your Mood!
By Sara Butler
When people get stressed or upset, many reach for a quick snack. For many people, eating is a way they deal with the stress and strain of everyday life – but it’s not healthy. Yes, if people ate only when hungry, then many wouldn’t struggle to maintain a healthy weight. But emotions drive many people more than they would like. Instead of reaching for food, here are some strategies to help you cope with your emotions without food.
When You’re Stressed
There are many healthy ways to deal with stress and pressure. Exercise is probably the best way since it stimulates your body to release hormones that make you feel good and curb hunger. When you’re feeling as if you just can’t take anymore, step away from what you’re doing and go for a quick walk. You can also hit the gym and pump some iron to work out your stress. Any moderate exercise will help you lower stress and give you the clear head you need to meet challenges head on. Even a hobby that gets you up and moving, such as gardening, can help.
When You’re Bored
Many people fall into the trap of snacking when they’re bored. You need to work on getting out of your boredom rut so you don’t overeat. To help prevent boredom, take a new hobby. Skating, bowling, dancing, biking – anything that gets you up and gets you moving instead of turning you into a zombie as you watch your favorite zombie show on television. Shake up your nightly routine in order to help yourself to not get bored and eat an entire carton of ice cream.
When You’re Lonely
Lonely hearts can get confused with empty stomachs, leading to a lot of emotional eating. Instead of filling up on calories, work on your social networks! Volunteer someplace that means something to you; that way you’ll meet people who have similar interests and hopefully can create relationships. If your friends and family don’t call you, call them! Create social outings for yourself so you don’t feel lonely!
One Day at a Time
Emotional eating isn’t going to go away overnight but being aware that it’s a problem for you is the first step to doing something about it! Learn to recognize real hunger cues and eat only when you’re really hungry. The rest of the time, branch out and find new things to do!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Sterling, Va.
