Stress eating or emotional eating is a very understandable response to stress, anxiety, or other difficult emotions. When we feel yucky, we are just looking for something that will make us feel better. And food does that instantly. Unfortunately, the good feeling that eating provides does not last. Additionally, when stress eating becomes more regular, it can lead to health concerns. Here are some coping skills my own patients have in their toolbox of coping skills that they use in those moments of stress or anxiety to help with their own emotional and stress eating.
Coping Skills Toolbox for Stress and Emotional Eating
listen to music
take a warm bath or shower
drink herbal tea
sit in the sun
take a stroll
cuddle with your dog or cat
read a book
call a friend
go to bed on time
watch a movie
spend time with a friend
go out into nature
watch water running in a stream
meditate
do yoga
work on a creative project
If you are a stress eater, there is no quick answer of how to stop. It takes a lot of mental work to transition to using other coping skills. It takes practice to remember to to use these skills in the moment. It takes distress tolerance to wait out your uncomfortable feelings while you give these skills a chance. It's hard work, but it's good work. Try these coping skills for stress eating and emotional eating, and start your own inner work.