Boredom Means You’re Not Engaged in a Rewarding Activity

Whether you are at home or work, to prevent recurring boredom and keep it at bay, you may need to consider solutions that will provide more lasting meaning than blindly snacking. An unorthodox study at York University in Toronto defined boredom as the aversive experience of wanting but being unable to engage in a satisfying activity. Since boredom is considered to be inconsequential, the emotion often goes unnoticed, but boredom motivates the pursuit of new goals. It is crucial to recognize boredom eating to consciously manage your snacking. Like other emotions, boredom is an important signal that lets you know you are doing something that doesn’t give you satisfaction.

Consider these healthy strategies for managing boredom…

When you have sudden food cravings, it is important for you to address you urges, so never let your actions get ahead of your thoughts. Here are some alternatives to help you manage boredom eating:

• Release Excess Energy – You don’t have to hit the gym to release excess energy. Whether at home or the office, a short walk is a perfect distraction to boredom eating.
• Eat without Distractions – There is a natural delay between when you consume food and when it reaches your stomach. That’s why it takes up to 20 minutes to feel full, so avoid eating when anything else is occupying your attention.
• Prepare Snacks Ahead of Time – High protein snacks are healthy, satiating, and portable, so you can enjoy them even when you are on the go. Prepare snacks ahead of time to control portion sizes.
• Connect with Someone – There is no magic food that will cure boredom eating but there are better choices than mindlessly giving in to food cravings. Try connecting with someone via phone, text, or social media.

Establish the framework to make mindful food choices…

Managing boredom eating takes patience. Try chewing your food thoroughly, remove distractions, consume your food more slowly, and stop eating when you feel full. Remember, mindful eating can be practiced. Mindful eating is being present in the moment and thinking about the why, what, when, where, and how much food you consume each day. Mindlessly engaging in boredom eating doesn’t require you to listen for hunger and satiety signals. Once you are less caught up in negative emotions, you will enjoy the pleasure of eating a meal or snack without completely cleaning out your cupboard.

Managing habits like boredom eating is just one piece of the weight loss puzzle, but it is likely one of the most important ones. At Metabolic Research Center, our experts offer comprehensive solutions with a personalized plan.