The Effect Emotions Have on Our Eating Habits (Katy’s Korner)
It’s a common scenario we see in t.v. shows: the main character breaks up with her boyfriend and goes to bed with a pint of ice cream and wine. Though this occurrence is a fictional storyline, it can hit home for most girls.
Emotions can play a big role in our diet. Sometimes we eat as a way to comfort ourselves in times of sadness. It’s not unusual for people to eat when they’re bored too. It’s important for us ladies to be constantly aware of our emotions, so we don’t experience unwanted weight gain. Depression or anxiety for some women can lead to loss of appetite, which isn’t good either. It’s crucial that our eating habits be based on our health needs and not on our emotional difficulties.
If you’re going through a hard time, there are things you can do to prevent over-eating.
1. Get rid of all the nutritionally devoid snacks. You can’t eat what isn’t there, so throwing out the potato chips could be a smart decision if you’re having trouble controlling yourself.
2. Start exercising. Exercise boosts a chemical in your brain called serotonin that is responsible for happiness. With serotonin levels at their peak, you may not feel as tempted to binge on chocolate bars for comfort because you’ll already be feeling great without the sugar rush. Exercise also has an effect on another pertinent hormone called leptin. Aerobic exercise is the best form of physical activity for raising our leptin levels. It’s leptin that lets us know when we are full, so making sure your body is producing enough of it is critical to appetite control.
3. In case you needed another reason to get your nightly eight hours, another thing that effects leptin levels in our body is sleep. Women who don’t get adequate rest are more likely to feel hungrier throughout the day than those who get their beauty rest. So get in bed a little earlier, or feel free to push “snooze” one more time in the morning.
4. Trade in your soda for green tea. If you need your energy boost in the morning, green tea has a small amount of caffeine as well as other natural ingredients to give you a little morning momentum without the copious amounts of sugar. Drinking green tea comes with other benefits as well. Studies reveal that ladies who drink green tea have more energy while working out. It’s been shown to suppress appetite, so no more over-indulging and the antioxidants contained in it can speed up your metabolism!
5. Most importantly, be aware of your emotions. Ignoring negative feelings won’t make them go away. If you have experienced a loss, take time to grieve. It’s okay to cry; its okay to be sad. If you feel overwhelming sadness for long periods of time, talk to someone about it. A professional psychologist can help you map out your feelings and put you on a self-help track. They can also guide you on healthy eating habits, so you can take care of yourself in the healthiest way possible. – Katy
