Thayer put forward a much better way to deal with negative emotions: Take a brisk 10-minute walk. Sounds perfect and yes it's that easy! Thayer says people tend to crave sugary, fatty foods when they are anxious but also low on energy, something he refers to as "tense tiredness." This hits most people about 4:30 in the afternoon and again in the evening. Though a sweet snack may temporarily revive you, Thayer's research has shown that a brief bout of moderate exercise is a much more effective and longer-lasting solution.