Stay hydrated If you are stressed, drinking a full glass of water can be helpful. Often we mistake thirst as hunger or unmanageable stress.
Sip teaSipping on to tea will help calm any stress. Drinking herbal tea also helps to curb sugar cravings. Meanwhile, cinnamon and honey in tea can help keep insulin levels in check.
Take a walkStress often makes us lazy and one way to beat it, is exercise. Exercise releases endorphins that can stimulate relaxation, and the fresh air is also a natural stress reducer. Thus, a 15-minute walk will help relieve stress.
Peel an orangeThe simple act of peeling an orange is a mindful relaxation technique. The smell of citrus has been shown to promote calm.
Get distracted Keeping your hands and mind busy with some sort of fun activity will divert your mind from the stress. Activities like knitting and colouring among others will help.
Do not skip any mealSkipping meals can be one of the easiest ways of getting in the habit of stress eating. If your schedule is unavoidably hectic, make a bunch of pre-portioned healthy snacks that be substituted for larger meals.
Do not restrict Restricting yourself consciously from eating junk food will urge you to have more processed food. If you are tempted to have that pizza or fries, make sure to have a small portion of it.
Be presentThough catching up on a favourite TV show can help take your mind off of stressful events, it’s important to minimise distractions when eating a meal or snack, especially if you find yourself frequently overeating.
Practice portion controlIt’s common for people to snack on foods directly from the containers in which they were sold, which may lead to overeating. It is important to proportion the food we are eating to avoid overeating.
Be mindful of alcohol intakeWhile a glass of wine or tasty cocktail can be a relaxing way to unwind, keep in mind that alcohol increases appetite and may also increase the chances of overeating. Being mindful of the amount of alcohol you consume will help to ease overeating.