If you’re struggling with stress eating, you’re not alone. Stress eating can become a vicious cycle, as you eat to relieve stress, but end up feeling worse when you overindulge in unhealthy foods. Stress eating is a common coping mechanism that many people turn to to deal with stress and anxiety. Unfortunately, stress eating can be detrimental to both your physical and mental health, and can lead to weight gain, poor sleep, and other negative outcomes.

Fortunately, there are several healthy habits you can adopt to help you stop stress eating. Here are a few ideas:

1. Mindful Eating

Mindful eating is all about being present and mindful when you eat. This means paying attention to the taste, texture, and smell of your food, as well as how it makes you feel. When you practice mindful eating, you become more aware of your physical hunger and fullness cues and are better able to distinguish between emotional hunger and true hunger.

2. Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is essential for good health, both physical and mental. Not getting enough sleep can cause stress and anxiety, which can lead to stress eating. When you’re well-rested, you’re better able to manage stress and make healthy choices throughout the day. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night. The sweet spot for a majority of people seems to be at the 7-hour point. Anything above or below doesn’t offer significant benefits and may be detrimental.

3. Exercise Regularly

Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety, which can help reduce stress eating. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are feel-good hormones that can improve your mood and reduce stress. When you exercise, you also increase your metabolism, which can help you burn off excess calories and minimize the impact of stress on your body. Regular exercise can also help you feel more empowered, which can reduce the urge to stress eat.

4. Keep Healthy Snacks on Hand

One of the reasons we turn to stress eating is because we’re hungry and don’t have healthy options available. Keeping healthy snacks on hand, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts, can help reduce the temptation to reach for junk food when you’re feeling stressed or anxious.

5. Practice stress-reducing techniques.

There are many different techniques you can use to reduce stress, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or journaling. By practicing these techniques regularly, you can build resilience and reduce the likelihood of turning to unhealthy foods when you’re feeling stressed.

Stress eating can be a challenging habit to break, but there are several healthy habits you can adopt to help minimize it. By practicing mindful eating, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and keeping healthy snacks on hand, you can reduce stress and improve your overall health and well-being.