Many people eat emotionally at night. After supper, when things quiet down, work and other distractions are done for the day, we’re left to be with ourselves. That is something that most people with weight issues avoid. To feel feelings of anxiety, loneliness, self-pity, anger and overwhelm is just not on the list of fun-ways-to-spend-the-evening.
This is why night time snacking is one of the most challenging times. If you pause and ask yourself “am I hungry”? Most often the answer will be no.
But then what? You know that you’re not hungry but you also know that you’re not comfortable. What you want to do is change your state physically and emotionally.
You can distract yourself. Call a friend, go for a walk, do a puzzle, go to bed…the list is endless. While effective in the short-term (taking yourself away from eating), it doesn’t get to the root of the problem.
All humans feel lonely, anxious, angry, and sad. What if you could learn how to ‘be’ lonely, anxious, angry, and sad without feeling like you’ll lose yourself in the feeling?
This is where mindfulness comes in. Being conscious. Feeling your feelings – good and uncomfortable –knowing that while they won’t always feel good, they will pass.
This I can guarantee. A feeling felt will pass. A feeling suppressed will last. You won’t stay in any feeling forever. Humans get bored and move on. We won’t feel happy all the time either. Even that gets old.
Check out Jon Kabat-Zinn. His Mindfulness for Beginners is a great place to start.
Kerri