Learn Seven Stress-Busting Strategies

to Combat Emotional Eating

3.         Plan Your Day Better: If you have your schedule jam-packed, allowing no time for breaks, you’re headed for a breakdown. Being rushed can lead to a feeling of being overwhelmed which often results in intense stress. And, if you’re having a really bad day, you’ll probably end up driving through the first fast food joint and ordering a large order of fries and a biggie soda. So, do preventative planning and allow yourself time to unwind between major appointments and obligations. Allow for the unexpected because life doesn’t always follow our best laid plans, right?

QUICK TIP: If you know you’ll be spending a good portion of your day in the SUV, driving children to and from practices, then pack a little cooler full of healthy snacks and drinks.  Having those on hand will keep you away from the dangerous drive-through windows.

4.         Breathe Deeply: Make a habit of warding off stress each day with some deep breathing exercises. First off, these simple exercises will force you to slow down, and secondly, they’ll provide a way for your body to release tension and pent-up frustration. Change your mindset. Before you head for the snack machines at work, take a few deep breaths and meditate on good things. That’s a biblical concept (See Philippians 4:8).  

QUICK TIP: The great thing about deep breathing is that you can do it in an office, in the car, or on an airplane—anywhere!     

Here’s the proper technique for deep breathing:

*Breathe in through your nose, and hold it for a count of five.

*Concentrate on the position of your shoulders as you do this.

*Next, exhale through your mouth.

* Do this five times in a row, slowly and deliberately.

 I’ll be sharing the last 3 of the 7 stress busters next post.