Stress Eating, how to deal.

As we all know, those cravings for cookies, cake, choclate and ice cream can be intensified when we’re under lots of pressure from ourselves and others, either real or imagined. It can be even worse for us girls, since we’ve got the added bonus of PMS bloating (yay!). So if you’re like me, and wondering how to stop, or at least curb those cravings, here’s a 7 point list from Lynn Grieger of NBC and iVillage’s Your Total Health website.

(My commentary is italicized )

• Learn to relax. Try deep-breathing exercises during which you close your eyes, consciously relax your body and focus on your breathing for five to 20 minutes each day. Try to breath deeply and remove all other thoughts from your mind. You know, this actually works. I tried this the other night, when I was too lazy to go upstairs and get some munchies…lol
• Try an audio-tape progressive relaxation exercise. Look in your local bookstore for ideas. These tapes usually have pleasant background music or sounds from nature and they lead you through relaxation exercises. This would only make sense since it’s kinda like an extension of learning to relax yourself.
• Banish bad thoughts from your mind. Try placing a rubber band loosely on your wrist. Every time you have a negative thought, snap the rubber band. This will remind you to think positively. Um, either that or help you develop some weird masochist fetish…But the idea of learning to think positively is a good one. I know that when I think I’m going to fail an exam or something I try to make it not seem like this looming monster over my head, and I’m able to calm down enough to think clearly…if that helps lol
• Memorize a prayer or poem to repeat to yourself every time you have a negative thought or feel yourself under increasing stress. Look through favorite books of poetry for ideas, or ask your pastor for help. Another tip that really works. I’m guessing it ties in with the relaxation thing…
• Exercise. Daily exercise not only helps control blood sugar and also works to reduce stress. Try a daily 15- to 20-minute walk to clear your head. Focus on positive thoughts during your exercise time. If you can’t get out to take a walk, try stretching in your shower or walking stairs. Do what you can, but try to commit to 15 to 20 minutes of some movement per day. You deserve it. ZOMFG THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST ADVICE EVER!? lol um yeah, because not only is this good for craving banishing, but if you’re one of those girls who are unlucky enough to get cramps during your period, exercise is a goooood way to beat those as well. Plus, if you do happen to give into that craving, it’s not like those calories are going to waste, right? right!?
• As for comfort food, make yourself goodie bags. Regarding the snacking on “comfort foods,” accept that you can’t go back on what you have already consumed, but know that you can take it one step at a time, one day at a time. Try to make a commitment to yourself that you will prepare the next day’s snacks the night before. That way, you’ll have healthy food already prepared which you can carry with you throughout the day. Your goodie bags can include:
  • a hard-boiled egg, red-pepper strips and four to six whole-grain crackers
  • one cup lite soy milk or skim milk and one English muffin topped with a smear of peanut butter or all-fruit spread
  • three graham crackers and an orange
  • half a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich on whole-wheat bread
  • apple slices and one small sugar-free yogurt.
• Most importantly, don’t give up! If you try one of these ideas and it doesn’t seem to work, don’t put the blame on yourself. Try another approach, find a different support group or talk with a different health-care consultant. You’re too important to not give yourself every possible chance.

For both 6 and 7, I totally agree. And besides, carrying around yummy snacks that are healthy is much better than yummy snacks that are unhealthy (duh). Plus I’m the type that craves textures over actual tastes, so if I’m craving something crunchy, I’ll be just as happy knawing on carrots, as I would be ripping through a bag of chips. =)