Nicole saw her weight jump 60 pounds following her separation from her husband. A portion of the weight gain connected to the medicine that she was taking, but most of it comes from what is called emotional eating. Currently, there has been an increased focus on the issue of emotional eating. As a matter of fact, many specialists state that most weight gain is a result of emotional eating in both men and women. In fact, Women Today magazine has estimated that as much as 75 percent of overeating is linked to emotions.

For many people, overeating is rooted in anxiety. For example, if you find yourself eating an entire container of cookies, it is possible that anxiety has something to do with it. Most people see the dangers in using alcohol and drugs as outlets for anxiety, but do not understand that using food in order to fight anxiety can be harmful as well.

In some instances, overeating may be a sign of depression. If you feel fatigued, hopeless, and have lost interest in activities that you normally enjoy, you may be suffering from depression. Many people may turn to food in order to help themselves cheer up when going through a depressive episode. Overindulging in food can lead to weight gain, which may cause the individual to feel worse about themselves.

In some cases, overeating may simply be a sign of boredom. Sometimes, when there is nothing else to do, an individual may conclude that they may as well eat. This seems to happen mostly when people are watching television or perusing the internet. As opposed to overeating, one can pick up a new activity to indulge in, in order to alleviate their boredom.

Determining whether or not you’re an emotional eater can be quite challenging. Here are some key questions for you to ask yourself to determine this: Do I eat when I’m scared, worried, or sad. Does eating improve my mood? Does eating keep me from participating in activities that I enjoy? Do I go on a binge following some sort of disappointment? Have I turned to eating in order to deal with a death in the family or a failed marriage? If you answer yes to any of the questions above, then you may be overeating due to emotional reasons.

Once you have determined that you are an emotional eater, you need o begin developing new habits in order to change your behavior. The most effective means to combat overeating may simply be to find something else to do. If you have just gone through a life altering event such as losing a loved one, engage in a new physical activity such as kickboxing, running, or dancing to deal with the emotional trauma. You could even do something more sedentary such as painting or crochet. Once you get into the habit of being active, you will find that your desire to overeat begins to go away.

You can also take steps to figure out exactly what it is that causes you to eat for emotional reasons. What time of day do you typically binge? Do you snack while watching television or working at the computer? By identifying what situations lead you to overeat, you can switch your behavioral patterns and walk a healthier path.

It may also be helpful to develop a network of support to help you battle overeating. Your supporters can include your significant other, kids, parents, friends, as well as other overeaters. There are also groups that specialize in assisting binge eaters that you could join. If you feel the urge to overeat, get in touch with someone in your support group. Discussing your emotions could give you the emotional escape that you require, nullifying the urge to overeat.

If you battles with anxiety or depression continue, look into visiting with a psychotherapist. They can assist you in creating a healthier coping mechanism. If the subject is too personal for you and you do not want to talk to friends or relatives about your problem, a psychotherapist can serve you with the conversational therapy you may need to defeat your issue.

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