Emotional and Stress-Eating

If you’re saying ‘yes’ to everything, even when you don’t have time – as many emotional / stress eaters do – it’s likely that you have a lot going on in your mind: a busy mind. If it gets overwhelming, try this:

Write it down. Overwhelm belongs on paper, not in your head.

Here are some things to consider when you do that:

1.     Thoughts can be slippery little suckers. Pinning them down on paper lets you have a good look at them and decide whether they’re worth your energy.

2.     Do as much of your brain dump as you can in one sitting, then leave your paper in an accessible place for 3-4 days so you can easily add to it. Then sit down with it again.

3.     What are the things that are living rent-free in your head that don’t need to be there? Arguments with previous partners, things a teacher said to you years ago, bad customer service? If there’s nothing you can do about it, put it on an “I let this go” list. (You might need some help letting it go but this is a start – knowing you want to.)

4.     Move the things you really don’t need to be involved in to your “To Don’t” list. Check that list often when things come up. Those are the things you automatically say ‘no’ to, like you actively avoid them. They can be very tempting to return to – hence having the list to check.

5.     You might find that what is left looks like the priorities list I mentioned on Day 6. Go forward with that.

Added bonus: if you come to me for coaching, those lists should come with you. They are valuable data about you that will help you get to know yourself.

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash