No doubt, working from home requires a great deal of self control. This goes for both productivity and more health-related things like eating and snacking. Since we’re in the comfort of our own home without any of our co-workers around, we may be more tempted to snack while we work. Snacking isn’t bad per se, it depends on what the snack is. More often than not, these snacks are just made up of empty calories.
Is there a way to prevent overeating while working from home? Relying on willpower alone is a surefire recipe for failure — and crushed self-esteem. Instead, identify the triggers that prompt you to snack when you don’t feel hungry and treat yourself with loving-kindness as you reform your snacking habits.
Schedule Mealtimes
One of the biggest difficulties about working from home is that people often forget to take a break from their work because they can’t easily separate their home life from their work life. It’s important to schedule breaks throughout the day, including mealtimes. To help avoid snacking and focus more on eating well-rounded meals, schedule in a lunch time break. This includes time to prepare and enjoy the meal.
Instead of eating on the go, take the time to sit down and enjoy the meal. When you slow down and eat mindfully, you turn into your body’s innate hunger and satiety signals. You also give yourself time to ask yourself questions, such as “Am I hungry right now?” You’ll take more satisfaction in the meals that you do consume, and you’ll enjoy more time with your spouse and kids.