Emotional Eating tops the chart for a huge majority. Keep reading to understand what is emotional eating and what triggers it so you can make wiser choices in the future.
What is Emotional eating ?
We've all been there, finishing a whole pack of chips or eating too many chocolate before an Important event. This when happens too frequently and especially without realization then it can be labelled as emotional eating. Now you can get a question that how emotional eating and our feelings are related ? Don't worry keep reading your questions will be answered.
People often turn to food when they're stressed out, lonely, sad, anxious or bored. They distract themselves with food when they are even a little stressed out. Emotional eating is not always related to negative emotions it can be linked to positive feelings too, like sharing dessert with the one you love or after accomplishing a goal going for a good treat.
What triggers Emotional eating?
It can vary from person to person, as everyone has different emotional and psychological experiences. Lets look at some common triggers that can contribute to emotional eating:
Stress
Negative Emotions
Relationship Issues
Work and Academic Pressure
Fatigue or Lack of sleep
Social Situations
Environmental Cues
Childhood associations
So overcoming emotional eating can be challenging but identifying the triggers can surely be helpful and there are few tips we would like to share that will surely be helpful.
How to cope with emotional eating?
1. Awareness and Self Love
Recognizing and acknowledging your emotional eating patterns. Be observant about emotions, triggers and situations that triggers that behavior.
Self love is about prioritizing yourself and your needs. Both your physical and emotional. Do things that make you feel upbeat both physically and mentally. Identify your happy zones - both physically and emotionally and do more of them. Surrounding yourself with positive people, indulging in hobbies is a great mood booster.
2. Get a Makeover
Anything that makes you accentuate your best version is a makeover. Getting a makeover - like slimming / styling / shopping is a great idea to feel confident and self assured. It makes you feel in charge that you can enhance what you wish to. Makeovers can also be about a positive and compassionate shift of mindset. Smile more. Laugh more. Try and enjoy your company more powerfully.
3. Mindful eating
Try and engage in alternate activities that can help you manage your emotions without you turning to food. While eating, pay attention to sensory aspects of food such as taste, texture and smell. Eat slowly and enjoy every bite you eat. Learn to listen to your body's hunger and fullness cues this can help you develop a healthier relationship with food. One great tip here is - watch your portion size. It's always about what you eat and how much.
4. Seek Support
Choose healthy ways to cope and regulate your emotions. Do not hesitate to seek support from a counselor or a therapist who can give you a path and guide you with effective coping strategies. Do not hesitate in taking professional help from a doctor or a dietician who can understand the emotional eating and help you with your diet and can help you channel your emotions in the right way.
Remember, overcoming emotional eating takes time and patience. Be kind to yourself, balance your emotions and focus on small and sustainable changes in your eating habits and emotional well-being.
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