Do you ever eat because you're bored? Lots of people do. It's one of many emotional reasons for overeating. In fact, some experts have estimated that as much as 75 percent of overeating can be attributed to our emotions, not true hunger. Along with stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem, we satiate boredom with eating.

Bored on the job? Take a coffee break and grab a candy bar or sweet roll.

Bored at school? Hit the vending machines for something salty.

Bored at home? Check out the fridge.

Why do we need to placate our boredom with food? Is an internal stimulus the only answer? Obviously, no. But it's probably one of the easiest and fastest. It doesn't take much thought to stuff something in your mouth and the sensation temporarily relieves the pain, or in this case, the boredom.

Eating affords a quick fix, especially when you munch down on easily-consumed junk food while grazing through the kitchen.

You need to realize, however, that mindless eating damages your body. That feel good fix works just like a drug addict's shot of heroin.

You can combat boredom in many other ways:

1. Read a book. Okay, I hear you, who's got time to read a novel? How about two pages of the novel, an article from a favorite magazine, or five minutes reading today's newspaper?

2. If you have access to exercise equipment, spend five minutes working on it. Or just take a walk around the block. If you're working in an office building, walk up and down a few flights of stairs.

3. Solve a crossword puzzle. Keep a book of puzzles in your desk and when the insanity gets ovewhelming, fill in a few words.

4. Have a hobby handy. Keep a bag of knitting near you and get a few rows completed on that scarf. Take up origami and fold paper birds. Paint water color roses.

5. Give yourself a manicure.

6. Organize a drawer.

7. Return a phone call that you've been putting off.

8. Write a thank you note.

9. Vacuum one room.

10. Plan your next vacation.

Limit yourself to 5 to 10 minutes. Surfing the internet or watching TV for 45 minutes creates new problems.

Plan your boredom busters in advance, choosing what works best for you. Keep a list of them close by.

The American artist, Saul Steinberg, said, "The life of the creative man is lead, directed and controlled by boredom. Avoiding boredom is one of our most important purposes."

So the next time you're tempted to eat out of boredom, stimulate your brain, not your taste buds.

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