We all have cravings to deal with at some time during our lives and if it is only the odd occasion when we give way and indulge in them then no harm is done, however sometimes the cravings come more frequently and when this happens, they can have adverse effects on our health. There are many of them out there, cravings can be anything from chocolate and foods to nicotine, drugs or alcohol and each has a different effect on us. Understanding cravings for what they are is the first step to dealing with them, but due to them being so diverse, it is impossible to find a single solution that is guaranteed to work for everyone.
Understanding cravings and beating them
There are a variety of reasons why we crave a particular thing, so there are a variety of solutions for beating those cravings. Boredom, stress and anxiety or even just doing something out of habit are all reasons that can bring on cravings. When we go on a diet more often than not, we are banned from eating our favourite foods and this alone will cause us to crave what we cannot have. Certain cravings such as the one which has you reaching for your packet of cigarettes can be out of boredom or just plain habit if you have smoked for many years, nibbling on certain foods such as biscuits or chocolate is very often out of habit more than actual hunger. Cravings such as these can be easier to deal with than those relating to drugs or alcohol but can be just as intensive when the need strikes.
Cravings relating to alcohol or drugs will need the help and advice of your Doctor and possibly therapy to help you get back on track and beat them; this is largely due to the physical effects that can occur with withdrawal.
Beating simple cravings
There is much you can do to help yourself with the simpler forms of cravings; there are also many forms of self-help available for cravings such as nicotine and these include patches, gum, herbal remedies, stress management and hypnotherapy. Cravings such as those related to drug use are a little more complex and often people need help for specific drug related cravings and their side effects with a professional, however even then you can help yourself by taking stress management classes and attending therapy.
Dealing with and helping yourself abolish cravings relating to food is a little easier and there are methods you can try to help banish them.
Successful ways to banish those cravings
Most cravings will eventually pass if we take our minds off the fact and onto something more productive, even the craving for nicotine will diminish if we find something to occupy our mind. If the craving is related to food then simply by taking your mind off the thought of food will help to determine if it is actually a craving for the food or you are genuinely hungry. In the meantime, find something to occupy yourself and give it 15 to 30 minutes, this could be something as simple as taking a short walk, reading a book or taking a shower. If after this time, you are still peckish and craving then eat a proper meal instead of nibbling on a chocolate biscuit.
If you have, a craving for food then you may actually be thirsty rather than hungry, the human body is very complex and sometimes we may mistake the signs our body is telling us we need water for signs of hunger. Drinking plenty of water can help to beat the cravings in the soft term, even if you are not dehydrated.
Cravings are temptation and by giving in to temptation we can sometimes lose all control over the amount we eat, if we do this on a regular basis then it can have severe effects on our weight and ultimately on our health. If you simply cannot resist and have to give into the cravings then do so with an amount of control, for example instead of eating the whole chocolate bar break off just a couple of squares and satisfy your craving with this. Buy crisps and biscuits in small snack size portions rather than purchasing a huge bag that you can just open and continue nibbling on and try keeping a fruit bowl or carrot sticks within easy reach when sitting down to watch a movie instead of that big bowl of toffee popcorn.
We all have cravings to deal with at some time during our lives and if it is only the odd occasion when we give way and indulge in them then no harm is done, however sometimes the cravings come more frequently and when this happens, they can have adverse effects on our health. There are many of them out there, cravings can be anything from chocolate and foods to nicotine, drugs or alcohol and each has a different effect on us. Understanding cravings for what they are is the first step to dealing with them, but due to them being so diverse, it is impossible to find a single solution that is guaranteed to work for everyone. 