Mar 07
Fighting off the Stress-Induced Munchies
I don’t know what was wrong with me yesterday, but for some reason I was hungry all day. Oh, I was good. I stuck to my diet. But I was utterably miserable doing it. Why?
Well, when I look back at yesterday, the first word that comes to my mind is: STRESS. It was a busy day with lots of clients needing lots of different things, way too much to do and way too little time to do it in.
And for better or for worse, food is how I’ve learned to comfort myself when I get stressed out. I literally eat my feelings instead of finding a more self-nurturing and productive way to deal with them. When I don’t have the food to fall back on, I’m like a child facing the big, bad world without her security blanket. But I’m not a child, and I know that I can find other ways to cope with stress.
Here are a few ideas I’ve come up with.
- Treat myself to a long, hot bath with lots of bubbles
- Read a good book
- Drink a cup of herbal tea
- Take five minutes and just focus on deep, even breathing
- Take a drive while listening to my favorite music
- Burn a candle
- Vent to a friend or co-worker
Stressful days happen to everyone. They pass, as all days do. Today I resolve to be patient and gentle with myself when it comes to dealing with stress. I will not lose my mind and I will not blow my diet.
