While the holidays are often associated with joy, celebration, and time spent with loved ones, it can also be a source of stress for many people. Several factors contribute to holiday-related stress, such as finances, time management, family dynamics, and travel. Feelings of stress can often lead to unhealthy habits, such as stress-eating. Managing stress eating during the holidays can be challenging, but with some proactive strategies, you can navigate this time of the year more mindfully.
Savor the Flavor
When sitting down to enjoy a meal, try to practice mindfulness when eating. Allow yourself to be fully present during your meal rather than rushing through your plate. Emotional eating tends to involve mindless eating, where you consume food without paying attention to hunger cues or the act of eating itself. Take your time in savoring each bite, appreciating both the flavor and the aroma of the food by eating slower. This will help you become more in-tune with your body, helping you recognize “full” signals to avoid overeating. When placed in stressful environments such as the long holiday season, it can be easy to lose focus and to become distracted during meal times.
Hunger vs. Emotions
While it may be difficult during holiday festivities, try and distinguish between feelings of hunger and feelings of stress. Before reaching for a snack, pause and ask yourself if you’re truly hungry or if you’re eating to cope with stress or other emotions. Emotional eating typically comes on suddenly, triggered by specific emotions or situations. It can often be associated with cravings of comfort food, which are typically high in fat or sugar. Hunger is a gradual build-up that happens between meals, so try to not get this confused.
Emotional or stress-induced eating is not uncommon, but it can be disruptive to your weight-loss goals you have set for yourself. The holidays are about enjoying and cherishing time with one another, being present socially and emotionally. Don’t let stress get in the way of your festivities, and stay mindful of what you choose to fuel your body with! Interested in learning more about stress eating during the holidays? Our professionals are ready to assist. Contact Your Lean Life today!
