Food Cravings and Stress
Yesterday I discussed eating as a direct response to the change in seasons. Today I am talking about cravings resulting from emotional stress.
Emotion-based cravings frequently occur in the evening, when the stresses of the day have time to catch up with us. During the day we have repressed our feelings and needs because we are busy, but those feelings are still there!
Ask yourself what are you thinking and feeling. By examining your thoughts and feelings around an issue, you can figure out what you actually need. When your needs are met appropriately, the cravings should go away.
Here are a few possibilities to explore:
- Do you need a reward for getting through a long difficult day?
- What kind of non-food rewards can you give yourself?
- Do you need some kind of recognition that you did a good job? (You might have to just pat yourself on the back or call someone else to get that one.)
- Do you need comfort?
- What gives you comfort?
- How else can you get this comfort besides eating food?
- Are you overwhelmed and just want to forget the events of the day?
- Find something else that gives you fun or pleasure.
- Do you need an outlet for defusing the day’s events?
- Try exercising, relaxation, hashing it out with someone, or journaling.
You know food is only a temporary fix. It doesn’t resolve the underlying concern. You need to explore the underlying feelings and needs behind it. Then get your needs appropriately met. Please share with us, how you personally deal with life’s ups and downs without turning to excess food!
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Posted by: | Oct 21, 2007 9:23:12 PM
It's true. I eat when I feel as though I haven't accomplished anything, because despite how simple it is, "eating dinner" becomes something to do on my task list, and sometimes the only thing that i accomplish in one day. I then go and gorge out, because I'm so stressed out, and feel temporarily satisfied after pigging out.
