Contrary to what others may think, most people are unaware when they are stress eating. This habit crops up when you least expect it, but if you know the signs or triggers, you will be able to manage this. Learn from the following suggestions below:
Stress Eating For Comfort. Feeling overwhelmed by a certain situation, person or behavior, you turn to food for comfort and begin to stress eat. Sometimes this happens in an instant for some people, while it's a gradual phase for others. To overcome this habit, it's best to keep a pack of gum or chewy candies handy at all times. Consider buying a bubble pop keychain so that when you feel overwhelmed, just pop this until you're relax and comfortable.
Stress Eating For Control. When you've got too much on your plate and start to lose control of what's going on around you - such as when you're dealing with the kids' activities altogether and a project at work is nearing its deadline - sometimes food gives you that sense of control. To manage this, practice the habit of making a to-do list, then slowly complete what's in it. The list will help you visualize the task into smaller, doable activities and provide some sense of accomplishment so that you don't feel overwhelmed, according to ToodLedo.
Stress Eating For Rewards. After a long and stressful week, you've finally achieved your tasks so you reward yourself with a rich dessert. This is still a form of stress eating, and the cravings can only get stronger when your mindset is that you deserve the reward. To do away with the cravings, simply walk it off. A study published in Plos One said that a 15-minute walk is enough to squash any cravings for chocolate, desserts or snacks. You may also reward yourself with a spa treatment, not a high calorie treat.
Stress Eating During The Holidays. Stress eating triggers increase during the holidays as family issues crop up. Those once or twice a year gatherings are also when traditional family feasts are served. "There are all sorts of memories associated with family favorites -- these foods are imbued with expectations," said Ellen Shuman of the Binge Eating Disorder Association, according to The Huffington Post. "That feeling of deprivation can make an emotional eater feel like they have to eat their fill in that moment. They become forbidden foods -- and that brings out the rebel in many emotional eaters." The experts suggest working on patience, mindfulness and self-care in these situations.
