For a lot of people, stress snacking can be a problem. Whether you catch yourself snacking through your stress throughout the day or getting over it with food at night, it can cause a lot of unhealthy eating habits.
Your body does need fuel throughout the day, but there are ways to achieve it without unhealthy snacking. Here are seven ways to avoid snacking due to stress.
1. Make a change in your environment.
This doesn’t have to be a huge change. Even if you can’t get yourself into a completely new place, this can be as simple as switching seats or changing routes if you’re on a drive. You want to be able to take your focus off of the food and put your mind into a new state.
2. Eat foods with magnesium.
Magnesium is a mineral that can help with stress and fatigue. These are the best kinds of foods to pick up when you’re craving food due to stress. Foods with magnesium include seeds, nuts and green leafy vegetables.
3. Have a warm drink.
A nice warm drink can be incredibly comforting. Whether it is tea or soup, it can help you relieve the pressure to snack and also can sooth you of your stress. In fact, it has been shown that just holding a hot mug can even help lower your levels of anxiety.
4. Remember to breathe.
Some people forget how important breathing can be. If you’re beginning to feel stressed, remember to keep your breathing in check. Do slow breathing exercises to clear your mind and destress. Holding your breath for five counts and releasing can re-center your thoughts and ground you.
5. Write about your stress.
Writing is one of the greatest ways to release how you’re feeling. With all of that stress, it can be easy to want to grab for the nearest snack. Being able to let go of all of those emotions can really help when it comes to destressing.
6. Take a break.
Don’t forget to take time for yourself! Sometimes, you need to get away from all of the stress of work or the drama within your social life. Instead of soothing yourself with unhealthy eating habits, take some time for yourself. Watch an episode of your favorite show, take your dog for a walk or even read a book. Go ahead and time yourself for however long you think you need.
7. Go exercise.
Exercise is a really great way to beat stress. It can keep your body moving throughout the day and lift your spirits too. Whether you have a morning routine or like to keep active throughout the day, don’t let yourself slow down or become inactive. This is by far one of the best ways to fight against cravings that are caused by stress.
At the end of the day, stress really does affect us all. It can be difficult to get out from under the burdens of our day. However, with these seven easy tips, you can live a more stress-free lifestyle and avoid the needless snacking that comes with it.
