11. Treat yourself—but with a plan
“Think of what you’d really, really enjoy,” says Bazilian. “Is that a piece of divine chocolate, or a small bowl of your favorite ice cream? Whatever it is, plan to treat yourself once or twice a week. Set your sights high and don’t settle for the less favorable junk food fare that’s commonly available in offices or fast food restaurants.”
12. Don’t skip meals.
Good nutrition is incredibly important for stress management—just consider the fact that people who consume inadequate amounts of magnesium (which is most of us) may experience increased sugar cravings. But it’s hard to get all the nutrients you need if you skip meals, says Bazilian.
If your schedule is unavoidably hectic, make a bunch of pre-portioned healthy snacks that can sub for a larger sit-down meal—think almonds and raisins, plain yogurt, fresh fruit, individually portioned 1-ounce cheeses, and whole grain crackers—and have them at the ready so they’re as convenient for you to eat as chips, pretzels, candies, cake, and doughnuts.
Celio also notes that when you don’t eat for long periods of time, your blood sugar can drop and your emotional state can turn into what many people call “hanger.” This can result from spikes in blood sugar when we don’t eat nutritious, fiber-rich foods. This is why skipping meals is a poor choice when trying to avoid emotional eating.