You might ask yourself, why does it matter if I feel anxious, or lonely or bored when I decide to eat? Well the reason might surprise you and here is why.
What you choose to eat and even how much you eat can be shaped by negative emotions as well as positive emotions. I have found that many people overeat and even binge when they are feeling lonely, anxious, sad and bored. When you decide to eat while experiencing one of these negative emotional states, your food choices will unconsciously become less healthy. You might also develop an unhealthy behavioral pattern of using food to soothe yourself whenever you happen to be feeling uncomfortable emotions. If you struggle with emotional eating make a conscious choice to take an inventory of how you are feeling before you open your fridge or cupboard and grad that snack or begin to make your meal.
This is the powerful moment where you can break an automatic behavior by consciously acknowledging how your feeling.
Stay tuned for more information on behavioral techniques to mindful eating and living a healthy lifestyle.