PART 6: Break through emotional Eating

Anxiety is a feeling of dread, fear, or distress over a real or imagined threat to your mental or physical well-being. Avoid eating as a way to cope with anxiety. Try the strategies listed below.

Strategy

•  Take a long, warm bath or shower. Or, go for a swim.

•  Focus on relaxing through exercise, soothing music, helping others, etc.

•  Connect with people. Visit or call someone who will listen to you and support you.

•  Drink a warm cup of decaf coffee or tea – avoid caffeine, which can make anxiety worse.

•  Practice mindfulness and other relaxation techniques.

Wash, Peel & Chop Away Anxiety

Get your meal prep done and work away anxious feelings at the same time!

Gently wash fruits and vegetables. Chop foods slowly and evenly. Prepare all of the ingredients for a meal neatly before starting to cook.

Take your time to cook. Clean as you go, keeping your space tidy. Slowly wash and dry dishes by hand. Take breaks if you need to.

Other Causes of Anxiety

Anxiety could be a symptom of low blood sugar. Other symptoms of low blood sugar include shakiness, feeling faint, headache, rapid heartbeat, and sweating. In this case, you will need to have something to drink or eat, such as orange juice, a piece of hard candy, or crackers. Anxiety can also be a symptom of an anxiety disorder or other health condition. Check with your doctor if the symptoms above happen often.

Take a Step Back

Write down what you are anxious about. Step back and look at your concern from an outsider’s point of view. Imagine how others might handle these issues. You can also use this technique to look at your job or family duties. Ask yourself these questions:

•  What can I expect of myself in this situation?

•  Are my expectations realistic, given my abilities, strengths, and weaknesses?

•  What do others expect of me?

•  What ideas would others have for me? When you imagine how someone else might respond to a situation, you may come up with helpful ideas!

If you struggle to answer these questions, wait at least an hour or sleep on it. When you come back to this worry, you may see things in a different way and feel more ready to address the issue.