I'm a stress eater...

fuzibug

Yes, I must admit it; I am a stress eater. Whenever my kids are driving me nuts, or I have to call the IRS, or even when I have a lot of things to get done in a day I eat. Not only do I eat, but I somehow manage to justify it. I'll sit there thinking, "I shouldn't eat this. It's only because I am stressed out, but I don't care." I know I am not alone in this. Is there something you do instead of eating to channel that energy? Or some other tactic you use to meditate your way out of it?

dramallamaduck

I'm here because I need the same answers...

Bad day at work? Eat. Mad at family? Snack. Upset? Food. Depressed? Nom nom.

I'm trying the count to 10 thing before I eat something that isn't a pre-planned meal or snack. Count to 10 and ask myself, am I really hungry, is this a craving, or is this something deeper that I'm trying to solve with food.

cebreisch

I'm a Eater for Every Moment!! I eat when I'm happy, sad, tired, bored, mad, exhausted, somebody cut me off in traffic, some other idiot is driving 10 miles below the posted speed limit, it's raining, snowing, sunny, cloudy, hey - was that a deer by the side of the road?

For me, it's REALLY hard not to go to food in response to any form of stress. There are times that I've caught myself thinking, "the only reason I'm looking to do this is because I'm stressing out."

I've started doing a couple of things.....first, take time for myself to just sit and chill, and be thoughtful about what exactly it is that's stressing me out, and how to deal with it. Drink some water maybe too.

I know people who advocate for writing in diaries about what's stressing you out - helps to clear the mind too.

Also helps to talk to someone - anyone.

After all of that, sometimes I do end up eating something, and sometimes it's still something big/bad - but maybe not as much as I would have otherwise.

KariOrtiz2014

Find something else that will help you through stress!! Exercise!!

Josalinn

I'm the same way. Currently I am trying to keep all food in the kitchen and out of my study space. Also when super stressed I have a variety of herbal teas on hand. 5 mins to boil water, 2 mins to steep, block out the world and inhale. While I agree that exercise is a good stress release, studies have also shown that breathing deeply has a calming effect


And ironically on this note, I have now been on hold for 15 no 20 mins with blue cross. going to go make tea.....

hoyalawya2003

I recommend the book Beck Diet Solution. It helped me change my relationship with food. I still struggle some, but it has gotten better.

fuzibug

I like the tea idea...

Dozrzz

I'm also one that eats out of habit. Going to work in the morning, I would stop for a biscuit and coffee just because that is what I do in the mornings. In the afternoons I liked to get a snack on my way home from work. And of course I never ended up with a healthy option. It always just seemed like I ate those things because that's what I always did.....


Now I am trying things like putting my purse in the trunk so that I can't get to it and go through a drive-through. Seems pretty extreme but it is easier to make the good decision in the parking lot before I get into my car than when I am driving past the McDonalds lol