7. Think long-term
“Research indicates that the pleasure you get from eating comfort foods lasts only three minutes,” says Albers. “Keeping this number front and center in my mind is helpful. I say to myself, What is going to make me feel better for longer than 3 minutes? Usually, it’s not a cookie.”
Additionally, Celio encourages checking in with yourself when you want to eat. “Is your body hungry or are we tired and trying to get an energy boost? Are we simply looking to feel different? Many people use food as a way to change how they feel emotionally,” she says. But even though a high-sugar option can give you a high jolt of energy and good feelings, she warns it also comes with a sugar crash that can leave you lethargic and low in the long term.
8. Take a mustard bath
“I love taking an English mustard bath,” says Albers. “Dried mustard has been used since ancient times as a warming agent. When you add a few tablespoons to a warm bath along with Epsom salts and lavender essential oil, it’s instant zen. On a cold fall or winter night, it’s a great alternative to unwinding with comfort foods.”