Break Time: 10 Things To Do Instead of Emotional Eating

What could be more normal than seeking soothing behaviors during the brief moments of rest in your hectic day.  What we often fail to recognize is that reason we emotionally eat is because it works.

The Emotional Eating Guide suggests finding alternatives to emotional eating. This is far different than the typical approach of 'trying not to' overeat.

Of course, coming up with your list at break time is not going to work. You must have your plan in place and your list accessible. The options are endless, so we asked successful members what they do. Here are the ten most common answers:

1. Read a book or the newspaper
2. Write in a journal
3. Drink a cup of tea or coffee
4. Take brief walk or 'meditative' stroll to clear your mind.
5. Savour one serving of your favourite snack food. Take as long as you possibly can to finish even the smallest amount. This is called eating meditation.
6. Floss your teeth, and brush them for that matter
7. Listen to a favorite song. Do nothing else but listen.
8. Do Progressive Muscle Relaxation or meditate
9. Place your hand on your belly and tune into your breathing. Focus nothing but your breathing either at the level of the belly or your nostrils. This is a non-doing activity and it settles the anxious mind.
10. Perform a hobby that requires your full attention like knitting, scrap booking, writing or drawing.

The most important thing to do to avoid emotional eating is to make a plan. Simply buying yourself  time, as little as 5 minutes, can often be enough for the urge to eat to pass.

What works well for you? Share your thoughts below.

Be sure to print your 6 Steps To End Emotional Eating Guide. Subscribers, the guide is available in your inbox with the notification of this post (The link is at the bottom).