Make a List.

Do you ever find yourself eating when you already feel completely satisfied? Or have you ever found yourself rummaging in the fridge or cupboards even when you just recently ate? What about experiencing cravings that lead you to eat even though you’re not hungry?

 

This could be going on for a number of reasons. One of those could be that you have an overall nutrient-poor or even low-food diet and your body is craving real nutrition! It could also be that you’re thirsty, so grab a large cup of water! However, I often find that my clients do these things when they are really hungry for something other than food.

 

What might you be hungry for?

If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed you may truly desire going for a walk, cuddling with your children or your partner, or doing some deep breathing, meditation, and/or journaling. If you’re feeling tired, you may want take a nap, do some inversions or stretching, take a bath, or sit with your feet up reading a book with a cup of tea. Perhaps if you’re feeling bored you wish to find a new place to go hiking, call a friend to go out for lunch, or do an activity you love, but for which you never make time. Maybe when you feel in need of some TLC you really just want to schedule a massage, paint your nails, give yourself a facial, or do some yoga. The point here is that food will not resolve your hunger in situations like these. It may give you temporary energy (if you’re feeling tired frequently this would be great cause for digging deeper into your diet, sleep, and overall lifestyle) or short-term gratification, but it’s not likely to last. 

 

The point here is that food will not resolve your hunger in situations like these.

 

I often ask my clients to make a written (yes- get out some pen and paper) list of 10-15 activities (or more, of course) that can be done when they find themselves seeking food or having cravings when they aren’t hungry. Within 15 minutes, if you really weren’t hungry, a craving or desire for food will often pass. So add several activities that take 15 or more minutes, however don’t forget that sometimes all that’s needed is 30 seconds of deep breathing to gain more clarity on what it is you truly desire. Some of those more powerful activities that can have a big impact in a short time include: meditation, breath work, journaling, even just a few minutes of yoga. YouTube is an incredible resource for finding short guided routines for many of these things.

 

Some of those more powerful activities that can have a big impact in a short time include: meditation, breath work, journaling, even just a few minutes of yoga.

 

Check out the list below from Full Cup, Thirsty Spirit for inspiration and let us know in the comments what you put on your list.

Don’t forget: WRITE your list down and post it in places that will remind you to think outside of the box for the comfort your body often seeks when you’re hungry for more than food!

 

If you actually think you may be truly hungry, check out this post: An “Am I Hungry?” Hack.