Eating out of boredom is something we've all been guilty of at some point in our lives, and trust me, it’s no picnic—unless you're literally having a picnic, in which case, carry on. The year is 2024, and our lives are packed with convenience food, Netflix binges, and a pandemic-induced proclivity to snack constantly. If you're someone who perpetually finds their hand reaching into a bag of chips despite not being hungry, welcome aboard! You are not alone.
You see, the problem is that emotional eating often masquerades as hunger. When you're feeling bored, stressed, or just plain uninspired, your brain may play mind games and the next thing you know, you've inhaled an entire pizza without even realizing it. Trust me, I've been there. During my university days, my textbook often had crumbs more interesting than the content, simply because procrastination snacks were my best friend. Let’s say it louder for the folks in the back: ‘You’re not really hungry. You’re just bored.’
In this article, we’ll dive into some practical, yet surprisingly fun ways to keep yourself from raiding the fridge every time you feel like you're running out of things to do. If you're itching for solutions, stick around because we've got brilliant strategies and quirky hacks to help you navigate away from the kitchen and towards more fulfilling activities.
First off, to tackle the habit of binge eating, you must identify your triggers. What makes you bored or stressed out? Why does a bag of cookies suddenly become the love of your life when you’re watching TV? Asking these questions can be your first step in altering your snacking behavior.
Another brilliant technique is to drink more water. Sometimes what we perceive as hunger is actually just thirst. In other words, your brain might be a bit confused, and so staying hydrated could literally quench your boredom eating habits.
If boredom strikes often, consider filling your time with interesting activities instead of snacks. Exploring hobbies like reading, painting, or even knitting can be transformative (and your arteries will thank you). Need a more systematic approach? We’ll be diving into mindfulness exercises that can help you stay present and mindful about your eating habits.
I could go on and on because kicking the habit of eating out of boredom is a topic with many layers (like lasagna, but without the calories). So grab a comfy seat, maybe a glass of water instead of a snack, and let’s tackle this boredom eating thing once and for all.
Snapshot Survey
Snapshot Survey
1. Phone a Friend
So, you've eaten your lunch or your dinner and there should be no reason why you're still hungry, other than the fact that you have become so used to reaching for the biscuits at a certain time of the day. How about phoning a friend and having a chat. This will take your mind off the fact you think you're hungry and is one of the best ways to tackle boredom eating.
2. Walk
Going for a walk is another great tip. Getting out and about in the fresh outdoors will help you forget about food in no time. It doesn't have to be a power walk; you can just take it at a leisurely pace and let the fresh air work its magic. It doesn't have to stop with walking. How about a bike ride?
3. Hobbies
If you have tendency to succumb to boredom munching, then it's time to take up a hobby or three. Undertaking some arts and crafts will keep your mind occupied and help you unleash that creative genius which is just screaming to get out. There are so many arts and crafts you can indulge in, it's just a case of finding one which suits you. How about sewing, crocheting, knitting or painting. The possibilities are endless, but they'll ensure that your focus quickly goes from cookies to crafts.
4. Brain Gym
It's not just your body which is in need of a regular work out. How about treating your brain to some stretches and lunges in the form of a puzzle or two. There are numerous brain training games to help limber up your cerebellum, such as Lumosity. Try traditional puzzles such as Sudoku and crosswords. These will help you forget about the imaginary hunger pangs.
5. Read and Write
Jane Austen once said "there is no enjoyment like reading". Clearly she hadn't tasted my mom's amazing apple pie but I agree that reading is a special pastime. It is also another great way to keep your brain occupied. Writing is another great hobby. Make an addition to your journal or start up a blog and change your grazing routine to a writing and reading routine.
6. Rehydrate
We often mistake thirst for hunger, so when you think you're hungry and in fact you're just bored, make yourself a soothing cup of herbal tea or drink a refreshing glass of water. You'll find that you will quickly feel full again and what you thought were hunger pangs were false alarms after all.
7. Change the Scene, Break the Routine
Boredom eating is often habit forming and it may be time to break the bad habit. Sometimes we get stuck in a routine and sitting in front of the TV is often equated with mindless munching. If you find that you have a certain routine, then it's time to change it and break it. If you find that you have a habit of munching on your favorite potato chips or candy bars at a certain time when you're vegetating in front of the TV, how about sitting in a different seat or even going to a different room. This change of routine can help you break the boredom eating habit.
Does you have a tendency to graze when you're feeling bored? How do you tackle it?
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