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You’re not alone in meeting emotional situations with food; understanding why and knowing what to be aware of is the first step to beating overeating

Being Tired: When our energy is low, for whatever reason-long workday; sleepless nights, drained energy- we’re much more prone to making really poor food choices, ones that we use as a ‘pick me up’. Calorie filled, sugary or processed treats are very appealing when we’re exhausted.

Solution: There are often peaks and valleys of energy levels throughout the day, so it helps if you know when yours is and do something other than eating. Go for a quick walk; have a big glass of water and do a little deep breathing. You’d be surprised how quickly you can learn to nurture yourself with things other than food.

Needing Love and Comfort: It’s true. Food is frequently substituted for love and comfort. Pressure from work and life in general can lead to burn- out if we lack good support and a constant stream appreciation and love in our lives. When we’re sad, lonely or drained, many of us turn to food to find consolation

Solution: A bit of pampering and self-appreciation always helps. A massage; a pedicure; an afternoon fishing-whatever genuinely makes you feel good and that you’re worth taking care of.

Feeling Overwhelmed: You know when you have so much to do that you get paralyzed by the enormity of it all? Pressure of work, and deadlines, and health goals, and all the plates that must be kept spinning can be totally discouraging, making you drop out before even trying. That’s why ‘diets’ don’t work long-term; too easily ‘broken’ and then morale plummets.

Solution: Do what you can, when you can. Your own capacity will actually surprise you once you’ve learned to just get on with things instead of submitting to pressure. Emotional eating is a very common thing, but becomes a problem when it becomes excessive. My friend put a sign on her fridge that said “The Love You Seek Ain’t In Here” which was fairly hilarious but true.

Getting Hurt: The cliché of the jilted woman with her face in a giant tub of ice cream is a TV staple by now, because people so often turn to food when they are upset. Anxieties and emotions trigger the desire to eat-in fact lots of us overeat even when we’re celebrating. We associate food with an emotion.-

Solution: Another cliché- a nice healthy walk. Honestly, the mini-blast of oxygen actually goes a long way to overcoming negativity and exhaustion; just try to breathe deeply and relax and let go.