Triggers

Overview of Triggers

Introduction: Welcome to a lesson that serves as the foundation for understanding the triggers that lead to emotional eating. A trigger can be anything from an emotion, a thought, or an external event that initiates a pattern of eating behaviour. While we will dive deep into emotional and mental triggers in upcoming modules, this lesson provides a comprehensive overview of various types of triggers including biological, emotional, mental, and social. Objectives: - Understand the concept of a "trigger" in the context of emotional eating. - Gain a broad understanding of different types of triggers such as biological, emotional, mental, and social triggers. Instructions: 1. **Definition of a Trigger:** A trigger is a stimulus that prompts a behavioral response. In the case of emotional eating, a trigger can be a specific feeling, thought, or situation that leads you to reach for food as a coping mechanism. 2. **Biological Triggers:** These are triggers related to your body's natural mechanisms. Hunger is the most straightforward biological trigger, but other factors like hormonal changes can also trigger emotional eating. 3. **Emotional Triggers:** These could include stress, sadness, or even happiness. Emotional triggers are often the most immediate and powerful triggers that lead to emotional eating. We will delve deeper into this category in the coming modules. 4. **Mental Triggers:** These triggers are often thoughts or mindsets that propel you into emotional eating. This can include self-sabotaging thoughts like, "I've already messed up my diet, so why not continue?" A more comprehensive exploration of mental triggers will be covered in future lessons. 5. **Social Triggers:** Social situations like parties, family gatherings, or even social isolation can act as triggers. Peer pressure, family traditions, or even the mere sight of food can trigger emotional eating. Activities: - **Reflection:** Take some time to reflect on each type of trigger and think about instances where they may have influenced your eating behaviour. Write these down in a journal for future reference. In the following two modules we will be exploring emotional and mental triggers in more detail. Conclusion: Understanding the various types of triggers that lead to emotional eating is a pivotal step in your journey to healthier eating habits. This lesson serves as an overview to prime you for the more in-depth exploration of emotional and mental triggers that we will undertake in upcoming modules. Being aware of what can potentially trigger you is the first step toward gaining control over emotional eating.