Are you an emotional eater?

Overeating caused by emotions

Emotional eating has become so common in today's world that experts estimate 75% of overeating is caused by emotions.

You could be an emotional eater for all sorts of reasons – most likely to mask feelings of depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness or boredom.

The emotional eating cycle

Usually when we're feeling down or stressed, we eat for comfort to make ourselves feel better.

But this can have a negative spiral effect, meaning that you'll feel better for a short while and then feel guilty for overeating afterwards. And then you eat some more to feel better about the guilt and so the cycle continues.

What to do instead of eating

It might take a bit of practise in the beginning, but the next time you're feeling emotional, instead of indulging in something sweet or salty, do one of these activities:

• Call up a friend for support

• Do some exercise or go for a walk

• Take a soothing bubble bath

• Do some stretches and deep breathing

• Clean the house

The trick is to find things that you enjoy doing, that keep you busy and distract you enough to make you forget about eating.

Recommended reading: Eating with certain friends can make you fat

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