How to Stop Eating Emotionally

People deal with stress and depression in different ways. Some people can't eat because their emotions are affecting their appetite, while others eat more during stressful times. According to the Mayo Clinic, "Emotional eating is a way to suppress or soothe negative emotions, such as stress, anger, fear, boredom, sadness and loneliness." This can turn into a vicious cycle. As you eat more, you may gain weight and feel worse about yourself, thus causing more emotional eating. It is difficult to break the habit of emotional eating, but it can be done with a few practical methods.

Instructions

• 1

  Since stress can trigger emotional eating, find a way to decrease your stress. Some examples of stress management techniques are yoga, walking or meditation. These are ways to unwind without turning to comfort foods.

• 2

  Keep a food journal. Write down your feelings at the moment you are reaching for the food. This forces you to be aware of the triggers that cause your emotional eating.

• 3

  Call someone when you are feeling the need to eat. Speaking with a friend can be an easy way to distract you from eating when you aren't hungry.

• 4

  Give yourself a smaller portion of your favorite snack. As the Mayo Clinic website states, depriving yourself of comfort foods can lead to worse cravings. Calm them by allowing yourself to eat those foods in smaller portions and less often.

• 5

  Join a support group. This can help you connect with others in your situation. The group members may be able to provide you with practical suggestions for curbing emotional eating.

• 6

  Seek therapy. A counselor can help you work through your food issues and provide the support necessary to help you gain control of your emotional eating.