Emotional eating sometimes referred to as overeating or compulsive eating, is a condition that affected nearly 40 percent of Americans in 2018. Like drugs and alcohol, food can also become an addiction. Below, we explore where this compulsion comes from and what we can do about it, so keep reading.

1. Figure out what triggers your emotional eating.

The best way to put an end to emotional eating is by figuring out what triggers it. For instance, what emotions or situations make you want to reach for the comfort of food? In most cases, eating can be a way to numb painful or uncomfortable emotions—loneliness, abandonment, sadness, fear, anxiety, anger—arising from difficult situations.

Treatment for emotional eating helps you notice the triggers that cause the eating. With the help of a mental health professional, such as the team at the Therapy Group of Charlotte, North Carolina, you can find a safe place to discover what long-standing behavior patterns trigger your eating habits. Besides this, the mental health counselors at the Charlotte Therapy Center will also help you develop healthier ways to regulate your emotions so you can cope with life stressors or other challenging situations.

Through useful treatments, such as individual therapy, family therapy, CBT, and group therapy, their counselors will offer you counseling support to help you navigate any negative perceptions you may have toward food or your self-esteem, and offer compassion as you embark on your healing journey.

2. Consider going on a detox.

A slim detox tea is a tea with herbal ingredients that can assist with bloating and weight loss. The best detox teas work to improve your body’s metabolism, consequently increasing the body’s ability to burn fat and calories. Detox teas also have mild laxative effects, and because of this, they offer a great way to flush out toxins. To avoid any potential side effects, always consult your nutritionist before starting on a new supplement or slim tea.

3. Cultivate a healthy lifestyle.

If you don’t already, consider making rest a priority in your life. This is because when our bodies are well rested and cared for, we become more resilient in the face of daily struggle, and we’re better equipped to handle any difficult situation that comes our way. Now that you know this, what are some creative and fun ways that you can use to incorporate more rest into your life?

For starters, find ways to move your body. Working out or engaging in an intense form of physical activity can do wonders for your mood and even boost your energy levels. Starting an exercise program doesn’t have to be difficult. Think of the things you like to do. For instance, do you like bike riding? Pencil in a 20-minute bike ride each day and see how you feel after.

4. Learn how to eat for pleasure.

When we eat from a place of emotional hunger, the goal isn’t to savor or enjoy the different textures and flavors that abound in the meal before us. Instead, we’re eating to fill a void. Besides the obvious weight and digestive issues—nausea, abdominal discomfort, inflammation, weight gain—that result from eating too fast, your body’s natural hunger signals may also get dulled.

Mindful eating is a practice that asks us to be more grounded in the present and therefore more aware of what we’re eating. To practice, avoid any distractions while eating and really focus on the action of eating. Notice what your food smells like, and the different colors present on your plate.

By slowing down in this way and learning how to savor every bite, you’ll find you appreciate each mouthful much more. If you really pay attention, you’ll also notice that you can feel full on much less.

Weight loss is a huge fad throughout the US. From miracle diet pills to reality TV shows like The Biggest Loser, it seems that people are obsessed with finding ways to get rid of body fat. Truthfully, there are plenty of reasons why you may want to lose weight. Whether you’re fighting obesity, trying to gain endurance, or just want to feel more comfortable in your own skin, you’ll need some tips and tricks to prepare for your weight loss journey in the best way.

Losing weight is a true journey that will come with many highs and lows. However, the more you can physically and mentally prepare for that, the more successful you’ll be in the long run. Even as a beginner, you can find effective ways to train the entire body, so you feel better and get rid of that stubborn fat. Here are some general tips to help you mentally and physically prepare for your weight loss journey.

1. Explore an exercise routine you enjoy that you will stick to.

Exercise is a huge part of fat loss. However, not every type of exercise will work for everyone. It’s up to you to find what works for you. Look up exercises for fat loss like HIIT, strength training mixed with cardio, aerobic exercise, and stretching. Your body burns calories and fat during physical activity, and the best exercises are the ones that get your heart rate up. The key is to perform regular exercise. You can’t work out one time and expect to lose a ton of weight. It’s about consistency and commitment. This is why it’s so important to find a workout you genuinely love. Whether that’s going to the gym for weight training, hiring a personal trainer, or getting cardio in with a daily jog, find ways to stay committed for the best results in your weight loss.

2. Get the proper tools and accessories for changes in your activity levels.

A commitment to weight loss may mean a change in your lifestyle. Daily workouts or added cardio may require different accessories you aren’t used to. For example, you may need Power Step insoles or footwear to help you get through your full-body workout. Support your changing body and offer relief for any pain you may be feeling. These insoles or footwear can help alleviate fatigue and benefit your overall health.

3. Plan and prepare your new diet regimen.

To get the best results with your weight loss, you’ll need to focus on your diet. Consult your doctor or a nutritionist to find a good number of calories you should be taking in every day. The food you eat fuels your body and can affect your metabolic rate and overall body weight. Monitor your calorie intake, add in more lean proteins, and cut out processed foods as much as you can. Exercise is great, but true weight loss comes from a healthier diet.

4. Find your support system who can help keep you accountable.

During your weight loss journey, you’re going to have days you don’t want to get out of bed and go to the gym. In these moments, you need a support team to help hold you accountable. Whether that’s a friend, family member, or personal trainer, invest in these relationships to help keep you motivated.

5. Look for the little victories beyond just the number on the scale.

Your body weight is going to fluctuate no matter what you do. Sometimes the number on the scale can seem discouraging. Mentally prepare for weight loss by identifying victories that go beyond the scale. Little things like buttoning your pants without any trouble or walking up a flight of stairs without getting winded are huge milestones that deserve to be celebrated.

After the chaos of the last year brought on by COVID-19, many people are hoping to take better care of their mental health and find their confidence again. Insecurity, stress, and anxiety can all make you feel shame about things that are entirely common and normal life experiences.

If you’re worried there’s something different about you, or if you’re having a rough time, it can be easy to focus on your feelings of isolation and loneliness. However, it should be a priority to work on being gentle with yourself and break out of the shame spiral many of us feel when analyzing our thoughts, actions, and behaviors. If you have trouble with anxiety or insecurity, read on to learn more about three things you should never be ashamed of.

1. Mental Health

Whether you’re suffering from adult or teenage depression, there’s no wrong age to reach out for professional help. A psychiatrist might be the best option for people with severe mental health conditions, though talk therapy can be enough for some. It can be tough for someone going through a mental health crisis to recognize their symptoms of depression. If you notice that someone you care about is struggling, find a thoughtful way to offer assistance. If you’re in a depressive cycle, think about what you would say to a close friend or family member who was dealing with the same things you are.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, you should seek psychiatric care immediately. If you have a therapist or mental healthcare provider, reach out to them and go directly to the emergency room. It can be difficult to work up the courage to share what you’re feeling with someone who can help, especially about topics as difficult to discuss as suicidal thoughts and mental illness, but it may end up saving your life.

2. Failure

Almost everyone feels embarrassed or ashamed when they fail at something, especially when people we care about and respect are watching. However, it’s important to realize that failure is just a fact of everyone’s life, and we all have to fail over and over again before we can find our path to success. One way to help yourself stop associating shame with not achieving your goal the first time around is to start seeing each attempt as a step towards your eventual success.

3. Medical Treatments

There are many health conditions that can cause people to shame, often because they believe the condition reflects poorly on their personal choices or because the symptoms are unpleasant or perceived as embarrassing. Sexually transmitted diseases are one example of common medical issues that are stigmatized, and that often cause insecurity for the patient. This is a serious problem, as it can make people feel discouraged about obtaining treatment.

Many people also can feel shame about retainers and braces for adults. In many cases, this is based on unhappiness with the appearance of visible braces. However, dental technology has advanced to the point that you can skip conventional braces and opt for clear braces instead. Ask your orthodontist if this type of braces may be a treatment option for you. While it won’t be exactly the same as being able to flash your natural smile, you’ll be thankful you followed through when you see your straight teeth afterward.

Shame is a deeply upsetting and unpleasant feeling for most people, and it can cause you to experience additional self-doubt and insecurity. Failure is one of the most common causes of shame in adults, even though it’s something everyone has had happened at one time or another. People also often feel shame when they’re diagnosed with a condition that has symptoms they consider to be embarrassing or that they’re ashamed to have.

Medical accessories like braces can also cause unhappiness with the way you look. It’s worth asking your dentist about clear braces and clear aligners to help alleviate your concerns about your appearance. One of the most important things you can do is be patient and kind to yourself. The world is difficult enough without tearing yourself down mentally and emotionally for things that are perfectly normal parts of life.

Reimagining your Colorado home to reflect the decorative, functional, and lifestyle needs shared by you and your family might sound like a comprehensive task. Many people think that this project will take many years of hard work and an even greater commitment of financial capital. But home improvement aimed at redesigning your living space isn’t actually that hard to incorporate for those with a plan and vision for executing it.

Creating your dream home is as easy as creating a plan of attack and executing it to perfection. Read on to uncover the perfect way to craft this approach and reimagine your living space.

Speak with a professional to get a sense of direction.

One of the top luxury interior design firms in your area can help you find direction in the early days of your remodeling project. Luxury interior design is an art, and many homeowners lean on professionals in this space in order to create a calming sensation within their home. Interior design is about more than the right furnishings, rugs, or houseplants, it’s about creating a warmth that will reverberate out into the daily tasks and lives that you and your family engage in and lead. A great interior designer is a professional with years of experience in this realm, who probably works with an interior design firm. Recreating a home to include more of the stylistic elements and functional changes that you will rely on for comfort is literally their wheelhouse.

Speaking with an interior designer can give you a jumpstart on the renovations and changes that you’ll be looking to incorporate into your home—whether as a part of a move into a new property or a remodel project that will see your current home transformed into a new space. Renovations are a common theme among U.S. households, with more than $400 billion spent across the United States each year. For homeowners (or new home buyers) looking to create significant changes to their property, an interior designer is a must.

Include a home warranty in any future expansion projects.

A home warranty is a next inclusion that provides homeowners with excellent peace of mind. Home warranty plans allow homeowners to conduct their routines without the fear of breaking an expensive piece of necessary equipment. A real estate home warranty plan offers the perfect solution to maintenance requirements, repair works on broken appliances and home systems, and a pain-free replacement structure. The backstop that a home warranty policy provides is second to none when it comes to protecting your home and cash flow against the unknown.

Home warranties can be used to cover all manner of systems within your home. These policies are easy to take out and can really transform the way you interact with your appliances and home necessities. This is the best way to quickly and easily infuse a new level of calm into your home life. Rather than worrying about costly replacements or repairs, a warranty takes away this concern altogether, allowing you to focus on other areas of your lifestyle and the home.

Target landscaping around the home to complete the package.

Landscaping is another crucial area when reimagining your home. Transforming a space into your dream home may start in the living room or kitchen, but in order to truly create this perfect space for you and your family, you’ll need to finish off the home with exterior renovations as well to perfectly customize the space for your needs.

Studies have shown that time spent in green space can reduce stress and provide a significant boost to your overall health, happiness, and wellness. This means that a patio space that allows your family to retreat from the stuffy indoor air during the summer months can provide the perfect finishing touches to your home’s comfort and utility.

Plants like an umbrella tree are great options for those considering bringing their garden indoors as well. Houseplants are a great addition to any family home and can help you make the entire space feel lush and vibrant rather than simply relying on your outdoor spaces to provide this boost.

Patios are essential for homeowners in Colorado, and indeed those living all over the United States. These inclusions are the best way to make your home feel more open and airy, and the inclusion of a patio space that extends beyond your living room can make your living space feel larger as well. Plant life is a must in any dream home because they provide an excellent decorative style while promoting great air flow for maximum comfort and health.

Creating your dream home doesn’t have to take many years or remain out of reach indefinitely. With these great ideas as a foundation, reimagining your current home, or moving to a new home in Colorado, can be a simple process that bends to your will rather than feeling like an immovable object that keeps you from reaching the goals that you’ve set. Take on these projects and you’ll be living in your dream residence in no time.

How many times have you found yourself saying that you need some fresh air when you’re stressed out? The truth is, stepping outside to catch your breath is doing yourself some good not only mentally, but physically.

Beyond maybe just being in a stuffy room, poor indoor air quality can actually do some harm. While indoor air can have a negative impact on your health in some capacity, there are also simple ways to make sure that the air you’re breathing in at home or at work isn’t doing you damage.

Respiratory Health

For people suffering from asthma, allergies, and other respiratory health issues, if your indoor air quality is poor, it’s putting someone at risk for suffering asthma symptoms, and those with pre-existing conditions are at even greater risk.

The introduction of outdoor air through natural ventilation can actually be beneficial to people with medical conditions. Something as simple as opening windows and doors can reduce pollutants. It can also help to remove odors around your household, as well as dangerous irritants. For example, cross ventilation is highly recommended while cooking to reduce the possibility of smoke inhalation. It’s also recommended for activities like painting, to prevent the intake of dangerous chemicals.

However, it can be hard to get that outdoor air in sometimes, like if you’re in an apartment building and unable to keep a door open for a prolonged period of time. This is where a UV light air purifier can come in handy. These units filter out the particulates that make life miserable for those who suffer from allergies and asthma, while also neutralizing odors.

Mold & Allergens

Humidity may create an uncomfortable environment, but for mold and mildew, it provides a breeding ground. Mold spores can attach to just about anywhere, and is another common trigger for allergies. Mold can spread so extensively within a building that it’s an undeniable source of indoor air pollution that can render a home unlivable.

If you combine moisture with any restricted air circulation, mold may begin to grow. If you notice a musty odor that even air fresheners can’t cover-up, or even a black or white spot appearing on walls, it is time to consult a specialist to eliminate these potentially dangerous spores. Mold growth can trigger symptoms, from watery eyes to wheezing, asthma attacks, and even serious chronic respiratory illnesses.

Asthma attacks that are severe enough can warrant the need for emergency medical treatment. It is important to have an understanding of when such emergency situations arise. Understanding what to do during a medical emergency in the office or at home is a needed preparedness that could be a saving grace for someone. You could potentially avoid a trip to the ER with proper care for a family member who has asthma.

The Cleanliness of Your Home

Cleaning your home can always seem like an uphill battle. While you will notice the immediate effects that bleach and other powerful cleaners will have on your home, it does impact the quality of the air inside. Be sure to properly ventilate after cleaning, as this is also a way of helping to combat things like pollen and dust from retaking your surfaces.

You may also want to consider an air purifier to filter these particles, drastically shortening how often you spend scrubbing and how many cleaning products you need to use.

While you may think air cleaners like Lysol are a quick fix, it is important to understand the power of some of these sprays. Table-top cleaners may not remove satisfactory amounts of pollutants. While these may be an effective way to deal with allergens, it is important to work in conjunction with ventilation to prevent somewhat of air pollution that can impact indoor air quality.

The wintertime is a time of cold weather, wherever you are. This is obvious, but battling the winter chill in order to maintain the comfort level that you are accustomed to within your home can often feel a bit more difficult. Fortunately, homeowners all over the United States and abroad have come up with a good idea or two for protecting your home and family from the cold weather just beyond your windows in order to keep them comfortable, a toasty atmosphere that you are seeking for your home.

Keep up your home maintenance routine throughout the year.

Home maintenance tips for wintertime begin early in the colder season. In order to protect your family and home from the cold weather in December and January, it’s essential to consider upgrades and repairs during fall that comes beforehand.

Planning for air conditioning repair in the months that come before the downturn in temperatures is the best way forward when prepping for this inevitable time of the year when furnaces start to burn and chimneys begin to see their highest period of usage. If you are worried about your family’s ability to stay warm all winter then you should begin to seek out AC repair technicians in your local area today in order to get ahead of any problems that may be headed your way in the near future. Hiring a contractor with years of experience in the industry is the best way to secure your family’s peace of mind as the temperature outside drops and the limits of your heating system are tested.

Regular maintenance is crucial to a properly working system, especially considering that your air conditioning unit is designed to last for fifteen or more years – barring any damage from extreme weather conditions, of course.

Add space heating capabilities throughout your home.

Heating elements have come a long way from the antiques that you may have seen in old, grainy pictures of your grandparents. These days, homeowners can take advantage of floor heating solutions, space-saving radiators, and portable electrical heaters that provide intense warmth that rivals a fireplace or traditional heating system. Used in tandem with your existing heater, you can expect warm air to circulate throughout your home for the duration of this coming cold period, giving your family a warm and cozy living condition.

Creating this safe and comforting space is particularly important this year as we continue to battle the coronavirus pandemic. With the virus continuing to rage out of control around the United States, and indeed the entire world, we are finding ourselves spending far more time at home than we might otherwise. Therefore, the need to create a comfortable living space that can function as a workable office or classroom for your job requirements and children’s educational needs makes your HVAC system far more important during these colder months than in any year prior.

One important thing to remember when installing new heating systems in your home is to maintain your windows as well. These panes provide the best opportunities for heat to escape out into the open air beyond the confines of your home, so replacing seals, adding additional caulk, or replacing the windows altogether if they are aging beyond their expiration date is an essential component of winterizing your home. Without this additional step, you will end up running up a massive energy bill as your system heats a buffer around your home as well as the interior space.

Preparing for winter starts months before the temperature begins to drop. Prepare for the colder time of year with a plan this time around in order to make the most of the winter season and colder months.