Stress Eating Is Easier to Avoid Than You May Think

In times of anxiety, sadness, boredom, or nervousness, an overeater traipses off to the kitchen. The foods in the pantry or refrigerator seem to offer instant relief. But overeating is never the solution, no matter what the problem. It only leads to more problems. Overeating can’t mend a broken heart, make you more comfortable at a party or eliminate stress. All that it can do is add on more pounds.

Living in a state of chronic and relentless stress adds pounds, regardless of what you’re eating. Reducing stress reduces weight all by itself and it also reduces your desire to stress eat.

Stress Soothers to Avoid Stress Eating

Here are some stress soothers that can help you stay away from the refrigerator and pantry when a little stress attack hits.

• Get in Water. Take a bath, take a shower, get in the hot tub, or go swimming. Get Warm

• Get in sunshine. Research indicates that 20 minutes of sunlight a day will naturally elevate your mood.

• Dry Brush Your Body

• Brush Your Hair

• The Back Roller Rolls Away Your Stress

• Having a Ball with Body Rolling

• Sing Away Your Stress

• Hobbies and Games

• Stretching

• Regular massages

• Daily aerobic exercise

• Meditation, contemplation, prayer

You can also take dietary supplements that help lower cortisol levels.

• Theanine.

• Mixed herbals. You’ll find combinations of ingredients such as magnolia bark, epimedium, phytoterols, phosphatidylserine, tyrosine, and others.

• Herbal teas that don’t contain caffeine. Hot chamomile tea relaxes lots of folks, but you might prefer another flavor.

• Water.

• Aromatherapy.