How To Acknowledge, Understand, And Helpful Tips & Tricks To Face Your Emotional Eating Triggers

Get To Know Your Emotional Triggers

• Specific stressful situations: Stress is a major source of emotion-fueled eating, but you may find that only certain types of stress trigger your cravings. Maybe work stress sends you running to the break room vending machines, or one family member’s toxic attitude leads you to binge on junk food for comfort.
• Boredom or lack of fulfillment: Not all emotional eating is spurred by too much drama; you may instead feel that your life is lacking in interest or purpose. Ask yourself if you’re filling up on food simply because there’s little else that gives you a sense of satisfaction.
• Lingering effects of trauma: Beyond the typical disappointments and struggles that everyone faces, your life may have included crossing some extra-dark valleys that left you wounded. Ask yourself if you’ve been using food or other substances to avoid processing memories of violence, grief, or some other trauma.

Take Action To Distract From Emotional Eating

1. Occupy your mind elsewhere. Get busy with a hobby, a chore, or an errand. Yes, you’re providing yourself with a short-term distraction, but you’re also gaining a sense of accomplishment that could help soothe negative feelings.
2. Fill in fitness for food. Instead of heading to the kitchen, head outside for a walk or bike ride. If you feel more like slowing down than revving up, try some gentle yoga stretches or tai chi.
3. Make smarter food choices. If you can’t distract yourself from the desire to eat, at least choose healthier options, like fresh fruit or a high-fiber granola bar. Eat slowly and mindfully rather than letting your mind wander.

Instant Brain Hacks To Interrupt Triggered Eating

• Wait a while. When you feel like eating, consciously choose to wait a few minutes. Setting a specific time frame to wait before giving in to a craving can be easier than swearing off snacking altogether. You may find this brief pause gives you enough time to forget the craving and focus on something else.
• Ask yourself why. The most powerful tactic for disrupting emotional eating is to examine why you’re heading for the fridge. Why do you need to eat at that moment? Are you really feeling physical hunger? Might you be bored, anxious, or in need of comfort? Does some painful thought or situation have you looking for a distraction?

Improve Emotional Health To Beat Emotional Eating

• Look for patterns. Maintaining a food journal, even for a month or so, can help you spot patterns in how and when you’re prone to emotional triggers. Note what you were doing and thinking before and after eating, not just what you ate.
• Get the help you need. If you’re vulnerable to emotional eating, a therapist can be just as critical to your health and fitness as a nutritionist or trainer. Psychotherapy is especially important if you have unresolved trauma.
• Choose your helpers carefully. Some family members and friends may not be able to give you the advice or encouragement you need, especially if they struggle with similar issues.

Defeating Emotional Triggers Is Possible