Overeating At Night

Most emotional eaters do the majority of overeating at night - after 6 p.m.

This can be a major problem since the experts tell us that much of what we eat at night will go into fat storage (our body doesn't need it since it's just getting ready to wind down and go to sleep).

If you struggle with overeating at night, here are some tips to help you curb the night eating:

1) Don't let stresses build up through the day.

Many times we don't address the little annoyances throughout the day. We rush through it and push our frustrations down.

What we don't realize is that these little annoyances then build and build until the moment we can relax - usually after dinner.

Then the emotional meltdown hits and we're running for the Ben and Jerry's.

Tip: Try dealing with those little annoyances or stresses as they happen during the day. Take some time, feel the emotion, deal with the situation in the best way you can and then let it go.

If you pace yourself by dealing with these little things when they happen you won't explode with pent-up frustration - and overeating - at night.

2) Plan something completely fun and / or relaxing at night.

We're a nation that is completely out of balance. We run through the day, working overtime, rarely taking a break.

And if you have kids in addition to the job, you probably don't even stop to take a breath.

Life is about balance, if you work hard, you need to feed your emotions by taking some time to play or relax.

This is usually what you're trying to do by overeating at night. Your emotions need feeding - so you're feeding them with food. It actually makes a lot of sense.

Tip: Instead of feeding your emotions with food (and the latest reality show) try to plan something that's fun and relaxing - a time especially for you.

Maybe it's a bubble bath. Maybe it's curling up with your favorite novel. Maybe it's going to Starbucks for a latte and just...doing...nothing (how sweet).

Whatever it is, make a date for some emotional-fulfillment time. When you're feeding your emotions in this way, you'll notice that the urge to overeat at night will weaken and maybe even disappear.

3) Leave the day's stresses behind you

If you have a particularly stressful job, try this strategy. Work out your feelings first as soon as you come home by grabbing your journal and writing about your day.

Any frustrations or stresses, even triumphs that you had during the day - write them down. Try to resolve your emotions on paper in a positive way.

In this way you're taking the time to deal with your day - and you can put it behind you. Now it's time to focus on your evening.

This way you won't have old frustrations nagging at you as you spend time with your kids or your spouse.

4) Get out of your rut.

A lot of times, night eating is actually a habit kept in place by a web of other habits.

For example, you may have a routine that you follow every night: come home from work, cook dinner for the family, turn on the TV, watch the same old shows, go for the ice cream in the fridge...

Try shaking up your routine and getting rid of those other habits that support nightime eating.

What about turning off the TV? How about taking the dog for a walk? Why not try calling a friend? How about taking a class or learning something new?

Tip: Shake up your routine and get out of your comfort zone. It may not feel especially comfortable at first - but it will curb overeating at night. This will help especially if you eat mainly out of boredom.

So those are 4 things you can try to curb night eating. There are many others of course and it's important to remember that you have the power - not food.

If you struggle especially with emotional eating, you might want to check out the Shrink Yourself program. It's an online program that will help you stop emotional eating at any time of the day.

Was this information useful? This article on Overeating At Night is one of several articles found in our Emotional Eating information section.