Learn Seven Stress-Busting Strategies

to Combat Emotional Eating

5.      Talk To A Friend: Rather than reaching for a candy bar, reach for the telephone and talk to a friend. Or better yet, call your friend and ask her to meet you at the track so you can pound the pavement while chatting about your problems. That will be a one-two punch to your stress because sharing your feelings with a friend and increasing your body’s endorphin level through exercise are both great ways to alleviate tension.

QUICK TIP: Even if you don’t have any close friends or family members to share your feelings with on a daily basis, you have the Heavenly Father, and He is always ready to listen. As a Christian, you have access to Him every minute of every day. Talk to God. Tell Him all about your day. Praise Him for the many blessings in your life. Ask Him to be part of your everyday activities, and pray for His direction. Also, take time to listen to God. If you do all of the talking, you may miss the answer He’s been trying to get to you. Like the Bible says, “Be still and know that He is God.”

6.      Try Journaling: When you feel like solving your problems in a tub of ice cream, reach for your pen and paper instead. Writing in a journal is a very healthy activity. Not only will you be able to express your feelings in an honest, open and private way, but also you’ll be able to keep track of the prayer requests God has already answered. Use your journal as way of praising God for the small and big things He does for you every single day. As you read back over earlier entries, you’ll be encouraged to see how far you’ve come.

QUICK TIP: Don’t let journaling become another stressful obligation in your life. If you don’t feel like writing in your journal every day—that’s your prerogative. Just write whenever you’re moved to write.

7.      Just Say No: Being overwhelmed with too many tasks in today’s hustle and bustle world is a major cause of stress, so learn to say no. If you’re already maxed out, then don’t feel “guilted” into hosting this month’s ladies Bible study in your home. It’s OK to say, “No, I am too busy right now but when my schedule allows, I’d love to help. I’ll be in touch.” 

Also, keep track of your obligations and commitments in one Day-Timer, calendar or electronic planner. If you have things written down in several places, you’ll probably miss a few key appointments and that will definitely cause stress.    

QUICK TIP: Sit down with your loved ones, and determine what is urgent versus what is important and develop a manageable timeline based on those decisions. Also, take time on Saturday to look ahead at next week’s schedule and plan meals accordingly. By shopping for next week’s meals  and even preparing a few and sticking them in the freezer over the weekend, you’ve prevented stress from occurring on those busiest nights when soccer practice, cheer practice and parent/teacher conferences all coincide. In addition, having healthy meals already prepared will keep you from heating up a frozen pizza or eating an entire bowl of candy.

Lastly, remember what God says in His Word:  that “He will never leave you nor forsake you,” so lean on Him. Cast your cares on Him—just like the Word says—throw away that candy or chips and come out from under the covers. God is the only covering you need! Start today confessing, “I am too blessed to be stressed,” and enjoy life.

            For more information about stress, visit http://www.stress.org, which is the website for the American Institute of Stress (AIS). Or, you may write to AIS at 124 Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY, 10703.  Or, how about taking a different kind of stress test? (Don’t worry; you don’t have to do any physical exercise.) You can test your stress knowledge by taking a multiple-choice quiz at http://www.comby.org/stress/teststen.htm online.