Stress management??

Ok so being a mother of 3 needless to say I find myself really stressed alot of the time.. My middle child is very hyperactive & has me in a tizzy most days... Iv noticed when I get stressed all of a sudden hunger hits & want to eat & makes my day really hard.
I was always a stress eater..
My question is what do you guys do to distract yourselves when in stress to take your minds off food???
Gilly x

I'm the same as you stress makes me want to eat something but what I have come to recognise is that it's an emotional response. I have a cup of earl grey or a glass of water and try and think about my breathing instead

The test will be if I can do the same when I am off lipotrim

I agree with Libsmum, it's an emotional response. Came sooo close the other day when I came home from work and my two naughty kitties had gotten into my bedroom (my own fault - I left the door ajar) and peed all over my bed!!! You instantly want to change your state from frustration / anger to calm & relaxed and food was always the (old) way to solve that. I find a nice big mug of camomile tea to be really helpful now actually! Or take a nice hot shower (if the kids give you a quick few mins to yourself!) You just have to re-train your brain....deep breathing is great too as Libsmum said. Breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 16 counts and out for 8 counts. That's apparently the magic formula! xx

i felt the same myself in the week, tired, hungry and stressed out and just about to eat the left overs, something just said what on earth are you doing, it is not worth it, i just got shot of the food before i changed my mind.

I have to say ........ its a lot easier for a man, we tend to let the wife/partner get all the stress with the kids etc. I also realise that most of you ladies on here will do the cooking as well, even just for the kids. I dont know how you do that without falling off the wagon. I am full of admiration for you all. I know when I get stressed I can jump on the motorbike for a couple of hours, or go to the Gym. I totally realise that it is not that easy for the lady of the house.

Shivie said:

I agree with Libsmum, it's an emotional response. Came sooo close the other day when I came home from work and my two naughty kitties had gotten into my bedroom (my own fault - I left the door ajar) and peed all over my bed!!! You instantly want to change your state from frustration / anger to calm & relaxed and food was always the (old) way to solve that. I find a nice big mug of camomile tea to be really helpful now actually! Or take a nice hot shower (if the kids give you a quick few mins to yourself!) You just have to re-train your brain....deep breathing is great too as Libsmum said. Breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 16 counts and out for 8 counts. That's apparently the magic formula! xx

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At least .... "mmmm , let me kill them and make a nice Cat Casserole" did not even enter your head! ... A sure sign you have overcome your hunger pains on this diet !
:8855:

i just have soak in bath or come on here for a bit or ring a friend for a moan lol i've only got 1 kid (and my other half who i count as a kid hahaha) but they certainly know how to wind you up dont they x

I had some CBT sessions and they really worked for me!!! It makes you look at your responses to things and change them!!! You can buy books about it if the sessions are too expensive!!! (They are!!!!) Lol....

Good luck hun!!! Distraction is the key i find!!!

Deex

Thanks Deezer I'm going to take your advice & get some books.. Also starting a 6 week stress management course tomorrow night.. Let you know how I get on xx

Its interesting stuff hun!!! Good luck to you!! Hope you find something that helps soon hun!!! x

I'm like deezer, have done tfr combined with counselling this time to retrain my brain to stop using food, or any other habit to cope with the ups and downs of family life.
I feel for you as I cannot give specific advice related to kids, cats and dogs yes, unfortunately kids no. However, my grown up family are something I've had to face up to and realise I have to cope with.
As mancitymark has pointed out, wpmen do bare the brunt of all child and household duties, is there anyone that can help you get some time to yourself. Can you incorporate healthy eating and cooking into entertaining the kids, batch cooking and freezing meals etc. Are they at an age where you can make it fun like or playful and explain what it is your doing and the importance of a healthy lifestyle for you and them. I hope that might be of help, it's what I do when I have others kids to look after, but that said I don't have the responsibility of full time mothering.

i agree counselling is a good way to go alongside TFR and CBT is prob best for what you need, i am a counsellor and use this technique with my clients (pity i cant seem to use it on myself haha) person centred counselling is also good as i do this as well and it helps look at emotional connections with food, especially eating on feelings if that makes sense x