Overeating can be a sign of emotional eating. Sometimes, we reach for food when we’re stressed or sad. Other times, we eat out of boredom or as a way to reward ourselves. Some experts believe that emotional eating is a form of self-soothing, but eating emotionally can be a slippery slope for many people, especially women. As their emotional eating escalates, they start to gain weight.
But overeating doesn’t have to be inevitable. In fact, there are a couple of things you can do to take control of your eating habits.
- First, try to become aware of when you’re emotional eating. As you start recognizing when this happens, you can take steps to end it.
- Next, learn to recognize triggers for your emotional eating. Are there certain foods that send you into a tailspin? For example, some people eat more when they’re stressed because it’s easier to turn to food than to deal with their emotions.
- Finally, practice mindfulness and self-soothing.
Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and actions. When you have a stressful day at work, try practicing mindfulness by focusing your mind on your breath. This will help you calm down instead of reaching for a snack.
To practice mindful eating, focus on the following tips
- Whenever you eat, please take a moment to be mindful of what you’re eating and how it’s making you feel. Often when you’re eating, you’re so focused on what you’re putting in your mouth that you aren’t enjoying the actual food.
- Mindful eating is a process of reconnecting with your body, the food you eat, and the experience of eating.
- Mindful eating begins with being fully present in the moment. Mindfulness means being completely aware of the present moment, whatever it may be — whether you’re chewing your food, drinking your coffee or working on your laptop.
- Mindful eating involves bringing your full attention to the act of eating and paying attention to the flavors, textures, and smells of the food you’re eating.
