Hungry Or Just Bored? 5 Ways To Kick Your Cravings
Eating only when you’re hungry sounds like a simple enough plan, but boredom can sometimes get the best of us.
Tips to Avoid Overeating
To keep yourself from restlessly staring into the fridge, here are a few ways to mold healthy habits.
- Drink water. People often confuse sensations of hunger for thirst. If you’ve eaten recently or feel otherwise unsatisfied, drink a glass of water and wait 20 to 30 minutes. This issue may not be hunger but dehydration.
- Chew gum. If you find yourself with the munchies, break out a piece of gum to prevent overeating. Chewing gum can provide a distraction without the consequences of snacking.
- Sit while you eat. It’s easy to snack between meals when you pull something out of the fridge and eat it there. Designate specific times for meals and snacks, and begin eating only when you’ve taken a seat. This will alleviate distractions and signal to your body that eating should not occur spontaneously through the day.
- Don’t let TV distract you. When you’re watching TV, it’s easy to put away an entire bag of chips or a carton of ice cream. When you’re paying attention to what’s on the screen, you can’t listen to your body when it signals you to stop eating. Because of this, people tend to overeat and gain unwanted weight. If you find yourself getting bored during commercials, place a set of free weights by the couch and get to work.
- Take a walk. Changing location from the kitchen to the great outdoors can usually curb the urge to snack. A 10-minute walk can cure boredom and add a bit of exercise to your day. This short time could even be used to walk up a flight of stairs or do some push-ups.
The most important thing to do is pay attention to your body’s signals. Don’t starve yourself – if you truly are hungry, then eat.
Source: Psychology Today
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