Stress eating is a real problem in this day and age. You have a tough deadline at work, your date went well but he’s not texting back, your kids are sick at the same time. Whatever it is, stress can come from all corners of your life, and sometimes it feels therapeutic to grab that tub of ice cream sitting at the back of your fridge and eat it all.
Why do we do this? Well, experts on the subject weighed in with CNN recently and gave an explanation.
Unsurprisingly, stress eating has both a biological and psychological component. Stress takes a real toll on your brain. When you’re stressed, you release cortisol, which pushes your appetite into overdrive, and your cognitive resources that would usually find the solution to whatever is stressing you out are depleted from the sheer energy of being stressed.
Psychologically, it could be anything. You could feel overwhelmed, or you could just want something to distract you from your stressor while also giving you instant gratification. Unfortunately, junk food is an easy distractor.
It’s totally natural to want to indulge in this behavior every so often. The real danger lies in when it becomes a habit. High-sugar, high-calorie foods will make you temporarily feel better, as it increases your dopamine levels and briefly dampens your stressful feelings. But just like any habit, your brain may start to depend on this before you know it.
How do we stop stress eating from taking over our lives? There are a few ways to make this impulse a little less harmful.
- Listen to your body, not your brain. Your brain may be telling you to smack down as many Doritos as you possibly can, but take a step back and try to feel out if you’re actually hungry. Drink a glass of water and see if that feeling is still there.
- Think about your long-term goals. If you’re trying to eat healthier, or trying to cut junk food out of your diet, think of the consequences this binge may have on your progress. It may not sound like the nicest tactic to take, but focusing on your goals may actually make you feel better.
- Deal with what’s causing your stress. When you really look at it, stress-eating is a way of avoiding the problem. Think through whatever is stressing you out as much as you can, and figuring out what’s really bothering you. It’s definitely not hunger. ##MN_RESP##
- Don’t beat yourself up about it when it does happen. Just because you stress eat sometimes doesn’t mean you’re a complete failure. Realizing that it was just a mistake can help you keep a positive attitude and continue to make healthy choices.
What’s your advice on how to limit stress eating?
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