Emotional Eating (cont.)
What if Distracting Myself Isn't Enough to Keep Me From Eating?
Sometimes simply distracting yourself from eating and
developing alternative habits is not enough to manage the emotional distress
that leads to excessive eating. To more effectively cope with emotional stress,
try
- Relaxation exercises
- Meditation
- Individual or group counseling
These techniques address the underlying emotional problems
which are causing you to binge and teach you to cope in more effective and
healthier ways. For more information on these techniques, contact your
doctor.
As you learn to incorporate more appropriate coping strategies
and to curb excessive eating, remember to reward yourself for a job well done.
We tend to repeat behaviors that have been reinforced, so reward yourself when
you meet your nutrition management goals. Buy that blouse, take that vacation,
or get that massage you wanted. By rewarding yourself for a job well done you
increase the likelihood that you will maintain your new healthy habits.
Reviewed by the Department of Nutrition Therapy at The Cleveland Clinic.
Edited by Cynthia Dennison Haines, MD, on Oct. 1, 2005.
Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2004
Last Editorial Review: 3/26/2008
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