What to Do Instead of Eating to Feel Better

So if we aren’t going to be eating as a way to deal with feelings like restlessness, boredom, or stress, what do we do with those feelings?

Well, we feel them.  But don’t worry – it’s not as bad as what you are probably imagining.

I teach my clients a technique I learned from Krista St. Germain through The Life Coach School called the “NOW” technique.

NOW is an acronym that stands for Name, Open, and Watch.

So when you are feeling a feeling, the first thing to do is to name it.  What feeling is it?

Then open up to that feeling.  Instead of trying to get rid of it or change it or solve it like a problem, really allow it to be there.  Where is it in your body?  Imagine and visualize where it is, what it’s doing, and what it looks like.

Then, watch the feeling.  Just be with it.  Try to stay in your body with the physical experience instead of getting back into your head and overthinking the whole situation.

Often when we just the Name, Open, Watch technique with the physical experience of an emotion, we realize it’s really not that bad.