For many of us, COVID-19 has meant a move from the office to the home. At first, not having to contend with traffic, getting a few extra Zzz’s and being able to wear slippers all day sounds quite appealing! However, loss of structure and routine, worries about the future and being stuck at home with a pantry full of food can be a recipe for disaster. It can lead to Stress Eating.
Stress eating is when you eat food in response to your feelings of stress or overwhelm, rather than your hunger. Below are some tips to help avoid stress eating.
1. Create a schedule and stick to it.
The easiest way to create a schedule is to think about what you do at work and replicate it at home. If you have a 15-minute morning tea break and 30-minute lunch break at work, aim to do the same at home. Also be sure to factor in some physical activity, and some time to connect with others over the phone or via video conferencing.
2. Plan your meals and snacks for each day.
It is easy to let this one slide, particularly when you could just choose what you want to eat based on what’s in the cupboard or fridge, and what you feel like when lunch time rolls around. The problem with this, is that we usually reach for unhealthy meals and snacks, and end up not meeting our nutrient targets across the day. Planning your meals and snacks helps to ensure that you make the right choices.
3. Keep spaces separate.
If there is one thing from my advice that you take on board, it should be this: Your work space should NOT be the same space you eat at. It is so important that your meal and snack breaks are treated as such, and do not become confused with work. You should walk away from your computer, your notepad and pen and your phone, and focus your attention on what you are eating and enjoy an uninterrupted, well-deserved break. By focusing on what you are eating, you are engaging in mindful eating, which has been proven to support healthy eating behaviours.
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