8 Ways To Help You Reduce Stress Eating
Insecurity in your life creates uncertainty.
You feel down and that stimulates your stress response.
Over time, this takes a heavy toll on your life. You suffer mentally, physically and emotionally. This leads to stress eating.
Let’s look at some ways you can reduce the impact.
Stress can cause you to eat more and gain weight. It’s worth learning how you can deal with it effectively.
But how do you keep your emotions up when life is dragging you down?
It’s important to understand that you have a choice when life gets tough.
You can let all the noise or challenges life throws at you drag you down – or you can take steps to overcome it all and take control of your life.
There are many ways to keep yourself going even when times are bad.
The most important thing is to take care of your physical, mental and spiritual health. It doesn’t have to be much, but it’s got to be something.
Here are a few tips on how you can feel good even when times are bad.
1 – Practice mindful self-care
Self-care makes you feel good no matter what’s going on in your life.
Self-care is any type of activity or practice that enhances and protects your well-being, including your physical, emotional, and mental health.
There are many things you can do, but you can’t do them all. Choose the things you like and see if they help you.
What’re some self-care tips to help you feel good?
– Journaling – Writing down your feelings or emotions can have a very good effect on your mind. It can free you from your worries and help you find solutions.
– Take a hot, relaxing bath– Spiritual practices – whatever that is for you
– Listen to soothing music– Meditate, practice mindfulness, or do yoga.
– Go for regular walks to get fresh air and exercise
– while doing so, try to be mindful and focus your attention on external objects rather than your thoughts.
– Reduce screen time and negative news stories
– We’re inundated with negativity every day. This stimulates the stress response. Try to avoid the news or the internet for a week or so.
2 – Try to focus on the positive aspects of life
You really need to stop dwelling on the negative aspects of life or the things that annoy you. Focus on what’s good about your day, no matter how small. Use your imagination. This isn’t denial, it’s survival. You just decide where to focus your attention. This is important.
Maybe it’s time with your family or your pets. Maybe it’s time to relax and watch your favorite show, work on a project, or write.
Taking time to appreciate the good things in your life is amazingly good for your mental health.
3 – Change your routine
A change of scenery and a change of routine from time to time is life changing.
Seeing something new and changing your routine is good for your mental and physical health.
It can lift your mood, improve your perspective and make life feel fresh and not heavy.
4 – Stop being harsh on yourself
Cut yourself some slack when life is difficult. Acknowledge yourself for your efforts and hard work in life. Don’t blame yourself or judge yourself harshly. We’re never as bad as we think we are. If you need to change something, make a plan and start working on it. That alone will have a big impact.
5 – Find some kind of creative outlet
What’s yours? What creative project have you always wanted to try? Expressing yourself is a therapeutic way to lift your spirits when life gets tough.
Learn to sing, draw, paint, write, play a sport. Whatever you’re passionate about that distracts you from negativity is worth its weight in gold.
6 – What part of your life can you control?
Ask yourself, “Is what annoys me something I have control over?”
Many things in our lives we simply have no control over. Focus your energy on the areas of your life that you CAN control.
This of course includes yourself, your attitude, your feelings, your mindset and your behavior. Let go of the things you have no power over. Make plans for the things in life that you do have power over. It’s as simple as that.
7 – Make sure to connect with others
Share your experiences and struggles with friends, family or supporters. Sharing ups and downs, successes and failures is a great way to gain support and camaraderie during difficult times.
8 – Be a student of life
Learn from life. Reflect on yourself. Study your victories and your defeats. Use what you learn to do better next time. You’ll begin to understand yourself better and develop self-confidence.
Life can be hard, gritty and real. We can break down from the stress of life’s challenges, or we can stay tough, learn lessons, be grateful for the good, and move forward.
Keep your head up when times are tough. Make yourself laugh and you’ll soon find something to laugh about. Come out the other side wiser and stronger.