i've always used food as some sort of prize. or stress relief. when i was stressed i ate. when i was sad, i ate. when i was angry, i ate.. you get the idea. what do i do now to replace it? and i also grind my teeth, which gives me terrible headaches. i don't know how to stop it. any ideas or anyone with the same question?

Sorry about your headaches! I'm a former teeth grinder and used to get painful muscles in my neck as a result but I don't anymore. Your dentist can make you a custom mouthguard to sleep with that will prevent grinding (or minimize the bad effects) but there may be a way to get a mouthguard without going the dentist route. I found getting lots of aerobic exercise reduced my grinding - are you on an exercise routine?

Exercise is good stress relief. I don't mean you have to do "boot camp"--just going for a short walk is a good way to start. Or, if you get FitTV, they have various levels of exercise programs throughout the day. You can do what you feel you're up to without overdoing. Some folks also like the Walk Away The Pounds videos.

I have a problem with clenching/grinding my teeth, and what helps me the most is cutting out or at least cutting down on caffeine. You might want to try it if you drink a lot of caffeine.

Good luck!
Jay

yes, i do exercise (i do the wii fit or walk a mile or 2) about 30 minutes most days. i suppose i could up the amount of exercise and see if it helps. i tend to grind my teeth during the day. i'll be working or doing something and realize i've clenched them. my jaw gets tight and i can feel in all in my neck/shoulders. i try to massage it out but sometimes it gets the best of me.

thanks!

There are some stretches my massage person got me doing where you basically just let your head fall forward so that your chin touches your chest and the same to either side that loosen things up for me. Maybe if you try doing that a few times a day things will get looser?

I grind my teeth at night to the point I was wearing down my teeth. I started doing gentle stretching yoga before bed and that made all of the difference in the world.

When I get stressed I clench my jaw and grind my teeth. I've trained myself to be aware when I'm doing it and I pop in a piece of gum. That has helped tremendously!

good ideas! thanks ladies! i'll keep ya posted!

I use a mouth guard... I have the same problem of grinding my teeth. And I'm in school, so when finals' weeks come around, it gets worse.

If you have an iPhone or an iPod where you can download Darren Marks' Hypnotherapy Direct relaxation app, you're going to sleep a LOT better. I have downloaded that app, listen to it before going to bed and sleep SO deeply and so well!

Hope this helps! Those "grinding" headaches really stink.