Crush those unhealthy cravings by interrupting them

Do ever get bitten by the craving bug? You know the feeling: You’ve been working hard all day, and you’re in the mood for a little treat. The problem occurs when your craving is at odds with your commitment to health and well-being.

Maybe you’ve been overdoing it with sugar or carbs. Perhaps you’re in the mood for a drink or smoke. What made you decide to make this commitment to yourself in the first place? Often, it’s because you’re having troubling symptoms, or your health care provider suggested it. That can be a wake-up call. Sometimes, though, your commitment is based on something you read or what someone else is doing. Then you may not be able to sustain your new health behaviors for as long as you had hoped. The biological drive toward something you desire is one of the toughest to overcome because it’s incredibly strong.

Here are some tips, tricks and tools to help you crush those cravings and stay on your path to wellness.

1. Try the emotional freedom technique, also called tapping. EFT can help you interrupt your patterns. There are books, articles and videos available to help you learn how to practice this technique. Note that there are many ways to do this. Find the one that works best for you.

2. Uncouple two behaviors. For example, if you typically crave sugar while watching television, try not watching TV in the same room this time. You also can refrain from TV altogether. Instead, go for a walk or read.

3. Wait. Pause for an hour before indulging in your craving. If you still want it after an hour, then allow yourself to indulge. Most often, people will become involved with other things and don’t crave any further.

Give yourself grace and space to be imperfect. This is not usually a linear process. It’s often two steps forward and one step back. But that’s still progress. Give yourself credit for the steps you have taken.

Joyful Daily is a regular column that offers ideas for improving mindfulness and actively seeking joy every day. The column publishes weekdays online and Mondays through Thursdays and Saturdays in the Living section. Angela Buttimer and Dennis Buttimer are psychology experts and the founders of Atlanta Center for Mindfulness and Well-Being. Learn more about their work at pathtobestself.com. Send questions or comments about Joyful Daily to joyfuldailyajc@gmail.com.