Why quick fixes to soothe emotions don't work. And healthy alternatives

Picture this: It’s Friday, you just got home after a stressful work week, open the fridge, grab the left-over cake and stand there mindlessly eating. Or, maybe you’re missing your son or daughter who is off at college and their absence is deeply affecting your mood. You resort to plopping down on the couch with a bag of chips and watching Netflix. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Stress eating and other  quick fixes like drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and using substances to cope with stress, sadness, and anxiety, can come with unwarranted consequences.

Beware of consequences

If you find yourself consistently turning to eating unhealthy food, overeating, drinking alcohol or turning to something else to ease stress, you run the risk of opening the door to negative consequences. Here’s what to look out for:

• Worsening mental and physical health. Quick fixes can worsen existing conditions or even lead to new diagnoses of serious health problems. 
• Broken relationships. It may be hard to be present for your family, friends, and work colleagues as your best self when you’re consistently looking for quick fixes.
• Substance dependency. Soothing emotions by consuming substances like alcohol or pain relievers can lead to addiction.

Healthy alternatives to cope with emotions 

Life will always present you with challenges, which means finding healthy and sustainable coping methods instead of quick fixes is crucial. Here are a few things to try: 

• Recognize your emotions. When you’re extremely stressed, count to 10 and do your best to acknowledge your feelings and remind yourself that they’re temporary.
• Make lifestyle changes. Incorporate exercise, reduce your consumption of alcohol, unhealthy and/or processed foods in favor of healthier options, and prioritize your sleep.
• Practice gratitude. Gratitude fosters positive emotions and puts into perspective what’s truly important to you.
• Talk to someone. You don’t have to face challenges alone. Through confidential conversation, a Best Care EAP counselor can help you understand, cope and find a way forward.

Make an appointment with a Best Care EAP Counselor

Learning ways to manage your emotions is an important step towards a happier and healthier you. Best Care EAP counselors are here for you and your eligible dependents. To get started, simply fill out the confidential counseling registration form. If you have questions, please call our office at (402) 354-8000 or (800) 801-4182 and we’ll be glad to help.

Additional Resources

Best Care EAP offers a variety of webinars and articles that boost emotional and mental health. You can find them in our Resource Hub.