Food trigger awareness, you can take control
Recent studies have again demonstrated the connection between what we eat and our mental health and wellbeing.
Processed foods laden with hidden or not so hidden fats and sugars, can often be consumed by people in stressful times as a comfort.
If you reflect on your own reactions and triggers in times of stress, feelings of loneliness, upset or disappointment, you can make mindful change.
A simple exercise can be to ask yourself:
When I feel this way what do I do?
What food choices do I make, and why?
When you can mindfully associate your eating habits with events, you can become far more aware and in control to make positive choices and changes next time.
This may include a distraction such as brushing your teeth (sweet treats often don’t seem the same straight after), going for a walk/run, calling a friend or making a cup of herbal tea. By removing the initial response to unhealthy choices this paves the way for a more conscious decision. This also removes the feeling of further disappointment after the alcohol/unhealthy choices have been consumed.
By noticing the connection, you can then create your own coping mechanism which in turn will develop into more healthy choices.
