It probably comes as no surprise that every single one of us encounters stress on a regular basis… I mean, isn’t being stressed part of the definition of being an adult?!

Emotional eating or eating when stressed is something I overcame years ago, and it’s something I help all of my clients overcome on a daily basis.

Instead of eating, I’ve found 4 unique ways that help me to relieve stress. Here goes:

1. I play sudoku on my Ipad! My current streak is 66 wins in a row (without making more than 3 errors) Playing sudoko helps me to step away from the stressful situation for a few minutes so I am able to think clearly and effectively work through the stress.
2. I exercise! Research suggests that physically, there are 3 ways our bodies can complete a stress cycle: movement, crying, and screaming. When I’m stressed, I make it a priority to move my body, either by taking a brisk walk or even doing 30 seconds of jumping jacks.
3. I talk to a friend or loved one. Simply talking about why I’m stressed with someone I trust ALWAYS makes me feel better.
4. I take 5 deep breaths and ask myself “What part of this situation am I in control of?” It’s easier to manage stress if you understand how your actions can or cannot control the stressful trigger.

I’d love to know… What is one way that YOU manage stress without eating?!