Walk Your Dog to Control Boredom Food Cravings

Whereas boredom is sometimes caused by simply having nothing to do, that will not always be the case. You can be busy doing repetitive tasks and misinterpret you are feeling as hunger false hunger signals. For some people, junk food is a band-aid that distracts them from whatever boring situation that is triggering their feelings. Unfortunately, a distraction is not a solution and does not actually fix the problem.

When you are bored, it is easy to find yourself rummaging through the cupboards looking for a favorite treat. Unfortunately, empty calories can only satisfy you for so long. Once you become more aware of your true hunger cues, you can replace your misplaced focus on eating unhealthy foods with activities that have longer-lasting and more fulfilling effects.

Healthy snacks tend to provide longer lasting effects…

Awareness is the first step on the road to correcting problems with boredom eating. Check out the food and non-food strategies for better managing boredom:

• Move, Move, & Move – Boredom eating can be triggered by a host of negative emotions. However, it also leads to unconscious overeating. Before you give in to a sudden food craving, get up and move. Take a short walk, make up your bed, but do something to change your thinking.
• Practice Mindful Eating – Before you put food in your mouth, ask yourself why you are eating. If it is because you are bored, eat a small snack but move on. It would be better to find other alternatives to relieve boredom or stress.
• Plan Your Snacks – Apply different cooking methods and seasonings to enhance the flavor of your snacks. It will enable you to enjoy nutrient-dense foods and even eat the same things routinely while boosting your senses.
• Get Plenty of Rest – Sleep disturbances mess with your hormones, especially leptin (fullness) and ghrelin (hunger) but going to bed earlier as well as a short afternoon nap can help to quell unwanted food cravings.

Be mindful of what you eat and eat slowly…

Boredom increases your creativity and motivates you to think about novel ideas, the pursuit of new goals, and the benefits of developing self-control. Eat in peace and quiet, without any TV, computer, or smartphone screen to distract you. Be present while you eat and savor every bite to allow time for your body to appreciate the food you consume.

Although people often eat less when faced with major life events, it is easy to turn to mindless eating when you are simply bored. Nonetheless, boredom eating can be equally damaging to your health and learning to recognize its triggers important for you well-being. In this high-tech age of information overload, boredom can actually improve your mental health.

By paying close attention to what you eat, you gain awareness of how the foods you consume satisfy your cravings. At Metabolic Research Center, we teach you how to hold yourself more accountable, and reduce non-hunger eating that is triggered by negative emotions like boredom.