Plan Ahead to Prevent Potential “Stress Eating” During the Holidays
While it would be lovely to think that everyone has a wonderful time with family each year during the holidays, it seems to be the case more often than not that there’s at least one family member that has an issue with another, or who isn’t talking to their mother or who finds it necessary to comment negatively on your latest significant other or lack of getting a promotion this year at work.
Bottom line- for many who eat for reasons other than being hungry, being faced with stressful situations such as those listed above could potentially be a disaster waiting to happen. That tray of peppermint brownies or rich Brie on a baguette suddenly looks a lot more appealing when you’re fuming about what Aunt Martha just uttered under her breath to you!
Unfortunately, inhaling a tray of sweets isn’t going to solve the family argument and it’s going to leave you feeling angry at yourself in addition to Aunt Martha!
Of course, if you have the option to spend the occasion with friends or family members whose company you actually enjoy, that’s the easiest way to go.
However, for many, that sense of obligation may result in attending a gathering you’re less than thrilled about, to put it mildly.
If you prepare yourself on the eating front, you’ll be able to handle even the worse behavior of that one person who drives you nuts better than if you were either crashing due to low blood sugar, or feeling frustrated with yourself after eating too much sugar.
Follow your balanced Paleo approach to eating as usual, for the whole day leading up to the event, make sure to get in your workout that day to blow off some steam in advance and perhaps most importantly, don’t forget to breathe.
Something as simple as focusing inward on breathing properly, for even a single minute, can be extremely calming and result in you handling the situation in a manner fare more mature, and healthfully than acting without thinking and pushing down your anger or frustration with cake.
Take it easy, breathe and keep emotionally healthy as you whether what might be a rather trying situation.
