Power Naps Help to Eliminate Boredom Eating

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 what you are feeling as false hunger signals. For some, 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. Whether you are stuck in a waiting room or just waiting for the workday to end, boredom can trigger an urge to eat. Nonetheless, empty calories can only satisfy you for so long. Healthy snacks provide longer lasting effects.

Find yourself rummaging through the cupboards for a treat?

Boredom eating is a behavior that has a lot in common with mindless eating. Plan your snack time and opt for smaller portions of healthy protein and fat. Some strategies for managing boredom are discussed below:

• Get Plenty of Rest – Restful sleep helps keep hunger and satiety hormones working properly and you will have a lot more energy to avoid boredom eating. Healthy habits like getting plenty of rest are sustainable stress relievers that also revitalize your body and reduce your need to eat.
• Practice Mindful Eating – If you exercise the discipline to be present for what you are doing, you will have a better appreciation for the food you consume. The next time you decide to have a snack, take the time to savor every bite.
• Plan Your Snacks – Eating can feel entertaining, especially if you lack pleasure from what you’re doing. Plan for healthy snacks and it can be a source of excitement.
• Move, Move, & Move – Bedding down and watching TV is linked to increased snacking regardless of whether you are really hungry or boredom eating. So, take a break and go for a walk, ride a bike, take out the trash, but get the blood flowing.

Boredom is not pleasant and creates feelings of frustration…

The hassles of daily life can trigger negative emotions and boredom eating becomes a way to suppress or soothe your feelings by using food as a distraction. Learning to recognize food cravings for what they really are is crucial to managing boredom eating. People who suffer from ADHD get bored faster and may have more difficulty than others tolerating monotony and are more susceptible to academic failure, poor work performance, and feelings of isolation. Although it can trigger creative thinking, it also can influence negative behaviors, such as a false sense of hunger that leads to food cravings and overeating.

Staying busy and staying positive in the moment are great ways to combat the ill-effects of boredom eating. At Metabolic Research Center, we have over thirty years of experience in helping clients manage the emotional side of food consumption.