Learning Healthy Habits

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Horton Eva has 3 Published Articles

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Learning Healthy Habits

Posted On : Nov-18-2011 | seen (131) times | Article Word Count : 571 |

We have all used food as a drug to help ourselves cope with stress at one time or another. You know what I'm talking about: cutbacks at work, a fight with your significant other, not having a significant other, problems with your kids - hundreds of situations can cause you to run to the fridge when you don't need to. I could get into the science of it all and explain how certain foods have the same chemical reactions in your brain as pleasure-inducing substances like alcohol or nicotine, but what's the point? If you are an emotional eater, you've probably figured that out. You've probably also figured out that unhealthy overeating leads not only to weight gain but can also lead to a destructive downward spiral of anxiety and self-loathing that is very hard to break on your own.

At the end of the day, sometimes life just sucks in ways that cannot be reasoned with or rationalized. The key is to learn how to take care of and pamper yourself in ways that are life-affirming, not self-destructive. You have to learn to deal with sabotaging emotions by establishing some healthy patterns of behavior and investing in your physical and emotional well-being.

Find some activities that comfort and interest you so that you will have the weapons to combat your sabotaging emotions without resorting to food. Think about what, apart from eating, soothes you. What makes you feel beautiful or sexy and desirable? If you steer yourself toward these positive feelings of self-worth, you will pick activities and behaviors that inherently contradict self loathing and self destructiveness. Take a bubble bath and listen to music you love. Go for a longer-than-usual walk with your dog. Go out dancing with friends. Get a massage or a manicure-pedicure. Learn to reward and nurture yourself with activities that make you feel good about being alive, and you will break the cycle of self-destruction caused by emotional overeating.

If you are a constant emotional grazer due to long-term boredom, loneliness, or depression, get a healthy hobby. Choose activities that soothe and comfort you. hobbies that offer you a means of self-expression. Do you like painting? Have you always wanted to try writing a mystery novel? Do you enjoy knitting? Is there a project you've been thinking about such as creating a family tree or fixing up an old car? You get the idea. Find some activities within your current situation that will give you a constructive outlet for your emotions.

We've now discussed some different methods for identifying, acknowledging, and bringing to the surface the emotions that have sabotaged you in the past. We've also discussed some methods for managing your feelings in a productive manner so that you can begin to change your outlook on life. We've even covered activities and hobbies that can help you change your selfdestructive behavior patterns into healthy, life-affirming ones.

I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but you can use this insight and self-knowledge to make real change for yourself. Once you force yourself to take some initial proactive steps, you will be amazed at how simple it can be to break out of the negativity and self-doubt that has you locked into believing that nothing will ever change for the better. You can reverse the cycle. The more you practice these simple techniques, the better you will feel.

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<h1>Learning Healthy Habits</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Horton Eva.aspx'>Horton Eva</a> We have all used food as a drug to help ourselves cope with stress at one time or another. You know what I'm talking about: cutbacks at work, a fight with your significant other, not having a significant other, problems with your kids - hundreds of situations can cause you to run to the fridge when you don't need to. I could get into the science of it all and explain how certain foods have the same chemical reactions in your brain as pleasure-inducing substances like alcohol or nicotine, but what's the point? If you are an emotional eater, you've probably figured that out. You've probably also figured out that unhealthy overeating leads not only to weight gain but can also lead to a destructive downward spiral of anxiety and self-loathing that is very hard to break on your own.

At the end of the day, sometimes life just sucks in ways that cannot be reasoned with or rationalized. The key is to learn how to take care of and pamper yourself in ways that are life-affirming, not self-destructive. You have to learn to deal with sabotaging emotions by establishing some healthy patterns of behavior and investing in your physical and emotional well-being.

Find some activities that comfort and interest you so that you will have the weapons to combat your sabotaging emotions without resorting to food. Think about what, apart from eating, soothes you. What makes you feel beautiful or sexy and desirable? If you steer yourself toward these positive feelings of self-worth, you will pick activities and behaviors that inherently contradict self loathing and self destructiveness. Take a bubble bath and listen to music you love. Go for a longer-than-usual walk with your dog. Go out dancing with friends. Get a massage or a manicure-pedicure. Learn to reward and nurture yourself with activities that make you feel good about being alive, and you will break the cycle of self-destruction caused by emotional overeating.

If you are a constant emotional grazer due to long-term boredom, loneliness, or depression, get a healthy hobby. Choose activities that soothe and comfort you. hobbies that offer you a means of self-expression. Do you like painting? Have you always wanted to try writing a mystery novel? Do you enjoy knitting? Is there a project you've been thinking about such as creating a family tree or fixing up an old car? You get the idea. Find some activities within your current situation that will give you a constructive outlet for your emotions.

We've now discussed some different methods for identifying, acknowledging, and bringing to the surface the emotions that have sabotaged you in the past. We've also discussed some methods for managing your feelings in a productive manner so that you can begin to change your outlook on life. We've even covered activities and hobbies that can help you change your selfdestructive behavior patterns into healthy, life-affirming ones.

I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but you can use this insight and self-knowledge to make real change for yourself. Once you force yourself to take some initial proactive steps, you will be amazed at how simple it can be to break out of the negativity and self-doubt that has you locked into believing that nothing will ever change for the better. You can reverse the cycle. The more you practice these simple techniques, the better you will feel.About the Author: I have just started out with her fitness training. To learn about staying fit, please take a look at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://ishbv.com/247-fat-loss-review/">24/7 Fat Loss</a>. Also check out <a rel="nofollow" href="http://scamcb.com/the-diet-solution-program-review/">Diet Solution Program</a>, where you find easy exercise to build muscles and lose unwanted fat. Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Learning-Healthy-Habits_106164.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Learning Healthy Habits_106164.aspx</a>

Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Learning Healthy Habits_106164.aspx

Author Resource :
I have just started out with her fitness training. To learn about staying fit, please take a look at 24/7 Fat Loss. Also check out Diet Solution Program, where you find easy exercise to build muscles and lose unwanted fat.

Keywords : Behavior Patterns, Tendencies, Habits, weight loss,

Category : Health and Fitness : Health and Fitness

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