Mindfulness apps are a modern way to get back in touch with your emotions, rather than using food, alcohol and dieting as a distraction. Emotional eating is using food as a distraction from negative feelings. But food isn’t the only avoidance strategy we use. For some, it’s a glass or three of wine after a stressful day at work, or scrolling through Instagram and Facebook feeds for an hour when bored. For others, focusing on a new weight-loss diet is a way to distract themselves, rather than addressing relationship issues, trauma from childhood or other major problems. Unfortunately, avoiding emotions doesn’t work in the long run, because they serve a purpose in helping us communicate with others and connect with ourselves. In addition, by using food as a distraction, we’re typically eating when we’re not hungry and therefore ingesting more energy than we need.