Brush Your Teeth to Avoid Boredom Eating

You eat different foods for so many reasons, but when mindlessly eating becomes a habit it may start to interfere with your health. If you are not giving your attention to what you are doing, you are much more likely to feel bored. Boredom eating rather than mindful eating may become a problem due to the constant distractions in your life.

Rummaging through your pantry or staring into an open fridge, when you’re not actually hungry, is a common sign of boredom eating and can cause you to eat in excess if you are not paying close attention. Understand that eating is just a temporary way of silencing feelings of boredom.

Attention span is closely linked to boredom…

Being stuck in a repetitive or monotonous situation can lead to boredom. Although healthy snacks can be incorporated into your plan for food intake, eating because you are bored can be effectively managed with a healthier distraction. Here’s some strategies for combatting boredom eating:

• Do Something Fun – If you need another reason to get up and move, here it is. By simply moving between rooms or doing chores, you are more likely to forget about snacking while managing your boredom.
• Brush Your Teeth – If you take a break from mindless snacking and brush your teeth, the flavor change will make it easier to resist eating more food. Minty flavors help to cleanse your palette and make it easier to manage unwanted food cravings.
• Make Sure You’re Hydrated – Drinking water can help curb your appetite and prevent boredom eating. Thirst signals are often mistaken for hunger pangs.
• Add a Protein Snack – When you’re bored with the task at hand and find yourself day dreaming about food cravings, you might not be consuming the right amount of protein. Combining lean protein with high-fiber foods can keep you feeling full longer.

Feeling unsatisfied by an activity can lead to boredom…

The next time you find yourself craving a sweet treat, a piece of chocolate, a salty bag of chips, or anything that can pack on the pounds, realize that you have options and be creative in the substitutions you afford yourself. It can also occur when you are having difficulty focusing on the task at hand. However, before you decide to eat something, try getting up and moving around for an instant distraction. It is important that you do not confuse relaxation with boredom. When you notice food cravings or feel uncomfortable due to boredom, rather than eat try sitting with your eyes closed and allow your mind to wander without distractions like music.

At MRC, we understand you may not be able to control when you feel bored or excited by a situation, but you can control your reaction to it. Let the creativity that boredom naturally triggers work in you favor. This includes identifying non-food distractions.