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That is about how long it takes for the stomach to notify the brain that it is satisfied. True hunger will abate in that allotted time. If the desire to continue eating persists, then it is time to take our emotional temperature and treat the craving with a distracting activity.
Plan alternate activities
Once we have identified our emotional eating triggers, we can substitute one of the following activities in lieu of overeating or bingeing our cares away.
- Call a friend
- Take a nap
- Go for a brisk walk
- Write in a journal
The secret to overcoming emotional eating is to keep our hands and our minds busy when cravings strike and to reward our positive efforts and comfort ourselves in times of stress with pleasures other than food. A new blouse, a good book or a ticket to a favorite show will go much further to enhance our health and well being than medicating ourselves with something to eat.
Food will no longer be used as a coping mechanism but will be reinstated to its rightful purpose of nourishing our bodies and keeping us healthy.
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