3. Take a mental vacation.
Dr. May’s study also found that visualizing a 10-minute walk through the forest helped head off food urges…if you tap into multiple senses. So imagine seeing colorful birds, smelling pine trees and feeling the ground beneath your feet as you walk. If the forest isn’t your thing, try the beach or mountains. The imagery doesn’t just provide distraction, says Dr. May: “It uses mental processes also used by cravings, so it’s particularly good at making them easier to resist.”