Living a Whole Life

Find Non-Food Ways to Cope with Negative Feelings

God understands our anger, hurt, and pain, and we can tell him exactly how we feel and seek his help to get out of those dark, hard places. The power of negative emotions is released once we talk about them with friends, and to God. If you are struggling to cut the connection between your emotions and what you eat, here are some non-food ways to de-stress:

*Call a friend.

*Go outside at night to look at the stars and the heavens.

*Buy yourself some flowers or pick some wildflowers.

*Listen to soothing music to change your mood.

*Take a shower or bath.

*Go for a short walk.

*Take a nap, or simply put your feet up.

*Start your own list!

Listen to Your Bodys Signal for Hunger and Fullness

Ask yourself: What am I really experiencing – stomach hunger, eye hunger, heart hunger, or mind hunger? Some helpful tips:

*Practice eating until you are not quite satisfied. Wait 15 minutes and ask yourself again if you feel satisfied. This simple exercise can help give you the confidence of eating slightly less than you’re used to, knowing that in a few minutes you’ll be satisfied.

*Eye hunger may occur when you see a tempting food – for example, when you pass a bakery. Avoid the sight of food temptations when you can.

*Heart hunger or emotional hunger may happen when you are feeling stressed or tired and you eat to avoid strong emotions or to feel better. If you realize you aren’t physically hungry, ask yourself, “What am I trying to feed?” Start to record your mood and thoughts in a journal.

Realize There's a Battle Going on In Your Mind

Your mind is a battleground. From the moment you wake up in the morning until the moment you go to sleep at night, a battle is going on. How many times have you asked yourself, “Where did that thought come from?” Pause for a minute and recall the first thought that entered your mind this morning. Was it a good thought or not? I realized long ago that I could set the direction of my life by realizing and changing the first thoughts that come into my head in the morning. Sometimes I say a prayer that I taught my children years ago: “Good morning, God. This is your day. I am your child. Show me the way.” This is a simple prayer, but it is a profound way to start a new day.