Emotional Eating and Seasonal Affective Disorder Emotional eating and seasonal affective disorder are two different things. Emotional eating is characterized by a sudden feeling of hunger, cravings for specific foods, mindless eating, and no feeling of satisfaction even if you are already full. This is usually triggered by certain emotions that can only be satisfied by eating a certain food. On the other hand, seasonal affective disorder or SAD is a recurring depression that usually occurs during the winter. Symptoms are usually mild to moderate, but can sometimes be severe. This can include changes in appetite, weight gain, hopelessness and anxiety. Emotional eating. Here are several factors that can trigger emotional eating: Emotions: Emotional changes can trigger emotional eating. This includes boredom, anger, depression and loneliness. Social: Being around people who encourage you to eat can sometimes do more harm than good. You may tend to continue eating despite being full just to fit in or simply to please everyone. Situational: Eating is associated with certain activities that provide the opportunity to eat. For example, watching television while eating can cause you to lose focus on how much you're actually eating. How to Overcome Emotional Hunger Identifying the things or situations that trigger emotional hunger is the first step in overcoming this behavior. These factors are usually habitual, so it is absolutely necessary to have the willpower and determination to break them. Here are several activities that can prevent you from overeating: Take time to relax Read a good book Get a massage Exercise regularly Communicate with friends Do housework, do laundry, or wash the car. Seasonal Affective Disorder Seasonal Affair...... middle of paper ..... .ty. However, it has been found effective for short-term treatment. Light therapy involves sitting in front of or under a light box that simulates sunlight, which is lacking during the darker winter months. Cognitive behavioral therapy: Involves multiple sessions with a specially trained therapist that can last several weeks or months. It works by changing your mindset about certain things that usually trigger the disorder. Supplements - Supplements and herbal remedies are commonly used to relieve depression, although it's unclear how effective they might be. One example is St. John's Wort, an herb that has been shown to be effective for mild to moderate depression. Other remedies include SAMe, melatonin and Omega-3 fatty acids. Mind-Body Therapy – Includes meditation and breathing exercises such as yoga, massage therapy, or acupuncture.