Emotional eating is the process of consuming foods (often high calorie, fatty foods) as a way to cope with personal stress and duress. Effective ways of curbing the habit of emotional eating involve finding new, healthier, methods of coping with—or altering—one’s emotional state. At Thrive Counseling, we have discovered that the following basic strategies are helpful to our clients. 1) Engage in alternative enjoyable activities. We turn to emotional eating because it improves our emotional state. Make a list of other activities that you enjoy—and review that list when you feel a craving coming on. For some of our clients, alternative activities have included: calling a friend, walking the dog, or downloading a song from iTunes. 2) Drink Water. Many of us live in a constant state of dehydration. When we’re dehydrated we can mistake thirst for hunger. Staying well hydrated can reduce cravings and provide you more energy throughout the day. 3) Substitute some lower calorie foods. If … [Read more...]
Six Tips to Reduce Stress During Difficult Financial Times
During these difficult financial times, many persons are experiencing higher levels or stress, worry, and anxiety. The following six anxiety reducing tips could help you overcoming stress and live a better life, even if your financial budget is in “crisis.” 1) STAY CONNECTED. We often withdraw when we become stressed or depressed. Instead, turn to your social support – Be around friends and family – Don’t isolate. Let those close to you help you through the hard times. 2) GET OUT OF YOUR MIND. It is good to Be concerned about finances, but worrying all the time is not helpful. Schedule a specific time to worry--20 minutes a day. If you find yourself worrying outside that designated time, tell yourself “I’ve scheduled a time for this.” Then, immediately refocus on something else. The human mind is bad at focusing on more than one thing at a time, so focus on something good. 3) Don't lie to yourself. When we experience an upsetting event, such as losing a job, we can (and often do) … [Read more...]
Bitterness Counseling: Information on Bitterness and Overcoming Bitterness
PORTRAITS Sam’s mother was killed by a drunk driver. Ever since life has been extremely difficult for Sam and his family. The woman who killed her was only given a light sentence. Same is better about the unfairness of life. Katherine’s ex-boyfriend was extremely critical of her. He was always humiliating her in front of their friends and treating her unfairly in their relationship. It’s been along time since their break-up but Katherine can’t seem to get over it and still fantasizes about revenge. Jake’s parents constantly belittled him as a child. As an adult, he suffers from anxiety and depression and can’t figure out why he cannot let go of it all. Sheila’s husband does not seem to care about meeting any of her emotional needs. She has tried to talk to him about it, but he is always so distant and cold that it only makes her more frustrated. She is giving up the hope that their relationship will ever get better and can’t see any point in continuing their … [Read more...]
Five Life Coaching Tips for Living in the Moment
It seems that many of us today are living our lives with the mindset, “what’s next?” During high school, we are focused on what college we want to go to. Once we get to college, we are focused on completing our degree(s), then finding success in a career, then finding the perfect partner, kids, house, etc. We tell ourselves – “When I get THERE, then I’ll be happy." It takes some people a lifetime to realize there is no “arriving” in life. Only when our energy is focused on the PRESENT moment may we experience true arriving, and living (many of our Boston Life Coaching clients are, before they start life coaching, trying to get there through educational or career achievement). Here are 5 tips for increasing your ability to be “present in the moment”: 1.) Breathe into the moment. It seems so simple, yet when people start to pay attention to their breathing, they are often startled to find they are holding their breath throughout the day, or taking only shallow breaths rather … [Read more...]
Overcoming Workaholism: Counseling Tips for Achieving Balance
Portraits of Workaholism Henry can’t even recall the last time he felt he was able to truly relax. What he can recall, however, is just how difficult it was for him growing up poor. All he seems to care about these days is making sure that he does not have to experience those struggles again. He worries that if he stops working for even a day, then he will lose everything. Marie can’t get herself to slow down. She is constantly picking up after her two children, cooking, and cleaning in attempt to maintain a spotless household. Unfortunately, as a result she can never actually enjoy her home and family. Definitions and Key Thoughts Workaholism occurs when one fails to maintain a healthy balance between work and life. For workaholics, work is their principal avenue for finding success, approval, and respect. For many, work has become a powerful obsession. However, workaholism is a health-robbing, sleep-depriving, and greed-festering addiction. However, it is a problem … [Read more...]