Staying Hydrated Helps You Mange Boredom Eating

It is important to notice when you are eating due to boredom. Sounds easy but it is not. You must be aware of emotional states that lead to knee-jerk reactions during the day around others or when you are alone late at night. Not only is it important to recognize real hunger, but it is also important to know when you are eating just because you are bored. Sounds silly but it is very easy to get the two confused. When boredom takes hold, it is easy to act on impulse. If you stay tuned in to your body and mind about what you really need or want, it can help you break unwanted cycles of compulsively reaching for food that you really don’t need.

Listed below are strategies for managing boredom…

Sometimes, if you are feeling the urge to eat even when you are not hungry, a simple distraction is what you need. Listed below are some simple strategies for managing boredom eating:

• Hydrate Your Body – Keep a water bottle close at hand. It is often difficult to distinguish hunger from thirst, but this will help you stay well hydrated without reaching for something high in energy when you don’t need it.
• Plan for Distractions – When you experience the urge to eat and you’re not hungry, a non-food distraction can be just as effective as having a snack. Consider taking a short walk or brew a fresh cup of your favorite herbal tea.
• Healthy Snacks – Most often, portion size is the biggest problem people have with boredom eating. If you bag your own 100-calorie snacks ahead of time, you can choose to eat healthier foods and your snacks will be accounted for as part of daily food consumption.
• Take a Power Nap – A study at Harvard Medical School found that participants burned ten percent more calories when they took an afternoon nap rather than sleeping later in the morning.

Change how you approach boredom eating…

Emotional eating can swoop down when you are least expecting, so don’t let boredom control your mindset where eating is purely to break the monotony. Where it is okay to have a healthy snack, finding alternative strategies for managing routine boredom is a must. A proven way to better manage boredom eating is make sure you keep healthy foods and snacks in your refrigerator and pantry. Adopt a habit of grocery shopping from a list and prioritize the purchase of healthier foods, such as proteins, veggies, nuts, and seeds. Water is a critical nutrient that often gets overlooked when someone is planning their daily intake of food and drink. The Institute of Medicine says men need about thirteen 8-ounce cups a day and women should consume at least nine cups.

When you change how you approach boredom eating, there is no limit to the long-term health affect. At MRC, we show you how interrupting bad eating habits allow you to become the best version of you. Call today for personalized assistance.