Staring Blindly for Food is Indicative of Boredom

We live in a fast-paced world where instant gratification has become the norm. Neurotransmitters in the brain are tied directly to feelings of reward and pleasure. When pleasure levels drop, the brain is not being stimulated and you feel bored. This is what triggers the need to take an action that will cause pleasure. If you are experiencing headaches or shakiness, these are physical sensations that are associated with real hunger. Whereas, staring blindly into your refrigerator hoping something catches your eye is more indicative of boredom. Addressing your feelings about your behaviors can help you manage boredom eating.

Plan your daily food routine…

Knowing when to expect hunger signals can allow you to create a plan for your daily food routine. Here are some tactics that can help you avoid giving in to food cravings caused by a temporary state of boredom:

• 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.
• Hydrate Your Body – Drinking water help take up space in your stomach, which will keep you feeling full longer. Make it a habit to drink a glass of water whenever your brain suggests it is time to eat.
• 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.

It’s okay to have a healthy snack once in a while…

Emotional eating can swoop down when you are least expecting. Where it is okay to have a healthy snack, finding alternative strategies for managing routine boredom is a must. Remember, when you are trying to overcome food cravings, it is easy to engage in addictive eating, binge eating, or boredom eating. Begin by exploring a small piece of food and use as many of your senses as possible. The first step in developing a good habit to help you control boredom eating is to describe exactly what you will do when you recognize you are not hungry but are having creative food cravings.

At Metabolic Research Center, we can show you how to spend less time in the kitchen, and more time creating unforgettable moments with the ones and things you love as you become your healthiest you. Connect with the MRC nearest you and get started today.