Good

Mindful eating

Those sugar-laden, high-fat comfort foods that we crave when we’re stressed and depressed can often cause more harm than good – instead of making us feel better, they can have the opposite impact on our mental health if we’re not careful.

Some people eat less in the face of strong emotions, while others turn to impulsive emotional eating. The food can act as a distraction and although it can be di icult, it’s important to be mindful of what you’re eating, and how much – pause and concentrate on the food you’re eating rather than mindlessly watching TV or scrolling at the same time.

Here are some tips to avoid eating too much when you’re stressed:

• Don’t skip meals during the day and drink plenty of water. This has been shown to decrease hunger.

• Eat slowly and savour small bites. You’ll experience the food’s flavours and be more likely to recognise when you’re feeling satisfied.

• Stretch out on the yoga mat. Studies indicate that yoga can help encourage healthy eating habits and reduce the risk of emotional eating.

• Shift your mindset. If you usually reach for a chocolate bar in times of stress, try to break that habit by instead reaching for something that will be more nourishing. It’s also important to pause and sit with our emotions – what are we feeling and why? Acknowledging this can help long-term.

Wellbeing

en-nz

2023-05-04T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-05-04T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://good.pressreader.com/article/282033331518957

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