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If you're super busy, your hectic life may lead to being overweight.

How is a busy lifestyle connected with emotional eating and overeating?

There are lots of ways. First, we become nervous that eating healthy will require time (more time than we have). We react to this by not even trying, by going out to eat, and by grabbing food on the run. I know that I end up eating more carbs (think, frozen pizza) when I'm crazy busy.

Second, when were rushed we dont pay full attention to what we're eating. This is why people who eat on the go or while doing work or watching TV tend to eat more.

Did you know that normal weight people underestimate what they eat by 30%? And people who are overweight underestimate their calorie intake by 60%! One reason for this is that we dont pay attention to what we eat and then we dont realize how much we eat.

Finally, an extremely busy lifestyle can lead to more intense emotions which can lead to emotional eating. When were super busy we often sacrifice sleepand lack of sleep is a major cause of emotional instability. When were exhausted, we experience emotions more intensely and they often spike up quickly. We also act more impulsively without thinking decisions through.

And were less likely to exercise (since were so busy and tired) and exercise helps to stabilize mood and therefore reduce emotional eating.

So What Do We Do About All This?
You're probably thinking that your life will not be any less busy any time soon. This is okay, but you'll have to make some minor changes. First, recognize that if you plan and shop well, it won't take longer to eat healthy food.

You can always prepare food for several days and freeze it and buy healthy organic frozen meals. Get prepackaged little bags of nuts and dried fruit (or make your own). Stock up on low-fat string cheese and other snacks you can grab and go.

Second, when you're eating, eat mindfully. To begin mindful eating, take 5-10 minutes and pay attention to your food. Realize how much you're eating. Eat slowly and savor it so a little goes a long way. The other day I ate a Take 5 bar (leftover from Halloween) while I was working on a book. After finishing it, I realized I hadn't even enjoyed it because I was focused on what I was writing. Don't make this mistake- pay attention to your food.

Third, work on keeping your sleep and emotions stable so you're less likely to engage in emotional eating. And if you know you're having a sleepy, cranky day, stay away from the drive-throughs and cookie aisle!

Now enjoy the health and weight loss benefits that these changes will bring you!

Larina Kase, PsyD, MBA is the author or coauthor of 6 books including the New York Times bestseller The Confident Speaker (McGraw-Hill, 2007). Get many more tips on how to land a book deal, get quoted in the media, and get booked as a speaker at http://www.platformbuildingsecrets.com

Being a student in the UK can be more difficult than people realise. After all, with mounting student debt, all those essays and exams, and the issue of finding a graduate job afterwards, your life can get somewhat emotionally and financially stressful. However, one of the main luxuries afforded to students - a luxury that is rarely available again in life until retirement - is the benefit of long holidays. If you're a student, it's important to take advantage of your holidays and take the opportunity to travel while you can.

It's all too easy to spend those long summer holidays at home, working during the day and catching up with old friends and family at night. However, if you spend the first half of your holiday working solidly and saving up your hard-earned cash, the best reward possible will be to spend the second half of your vacation travelling abroad - and the number of opportunities available to you are endless. For instance, you could take a six week backpacking holiday in India, China or South East Asia to discover some of the world's most exotic and historic locations.

Alternatively, take some time out to travel around the United States. While taking a holiday in the USA is guaranteed to strain your finances more than a holiday in a developing country might, there are various ways you can save money. For example, if you choose to travel by coach during your American summer vacation, you could save a lot of money and limit your carbon footprints by not taking a flight. A coach journey from New York to Chicago might seem like a long and daunting prospect, but you'll also be able to see much more of the country than you'd otherwise be able to.

Even if you feel you can't afford to take such long haul trips, rest assured you'll still be able to travel. Flights and trains to Europe can be expensive, if you don't book early enough, but many coach providers provide services to the continent for much cheaper fares. This way, you'll be able to get to Paris, Berlin or any other top destination in Europe conveniently and easily, while giving yourself the luxury of being able to survey the European countryside while you travel.

Or why not take the coach to one of many top destinations in the UK for a weekend trip that won't break the bank. For instance, if you're at university in Leeds and you're planning to visit a friend in Cornwall, you'll be able to take the coach to the sunny south-east with no problem at all. Or, opt for overnight coach travel from London to Edinburgh on a Friday night; you'll arrive in Scotland's stunning capital bright and early on Saturday morning, ready for a top-class weekend before having to return to your classes on Monday morning. Moreover, many UK coach travel providers offer student or young person's discounts.

So, wherever you're planning to travel to, rest assured that coach travel is likely to be your cheapest option. Just don't forget to put those long holidays to good use while they last!

Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen amateur photographer from Scotland. His interests include traveling and hiking.