kainaat Maqbool
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It comes as no surprise that most people these days are stressed. Whether it is familial problems, studies, or work, we are all living lives laden with tension, anxiety, and stress. Some have anxiety or even high-functioning anxiety while others are trying their best to sail through this boat, which we call stress.
This stress can be due to many different reasons, but the biggest setback is that it causes us to do things that are unhealthy for our physical and mental health.
While we all know that tension is the biggest drawback for our mental health, we rarely acknowledge what it does to us physically.
Directly or indirectly, stress can be one of the major reasons why we aren’t healthy or doing well.
One of the ways people find solace in stressful times is by overeating and indulging in stuff that is not healthy. This could be having meals multiple times a day or just binging on chocolates and sodas to overcome the thoughts that are plaguing them.
It doesn’t take a lot to figure out that all this overeating has some extremely negative consequences on the body.
Let’s delve deeper into why we stress eat and how we can stop it for a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle:
Why Are You Stress Eating
As already mentioned above, in times of distress and unease, we look towards food to give us the psychological and physiological comfort we need.
This is because food is one thing that is always going to be there and is something that is entirely dependent on us.
When we are stressed, we are dependent on people helping us figure out the next steps or moves and we are tied to a situation that is the main stressor.
On the other hand, eating is something we control ourselves. We have the power to cook, order, or stock up on whatever we want to eat. This gives a false sense of hope and control.
Food is used as a numbing strategy to distract us from the hard things and difficult feelings that need to be countered and found a solution for. This is called stress eating.
Not just this, but chronic stress is also responsible for an increase in appetite. You are not making this hunger up.
It is actually true because extended stress leads to cortisol production and the escalation of it can drive you to a bigger appetite rendering you hungry more often than not.
Though not to forget, Stress eating is just a Band-Aid on a bigger wound before it starts oozing out again, and not the permanent solution. The only way to get out of it is to face the problem and find the way out of it.
How To Know If You Are Stress Eating?
Most people do not know how to differentiate between overeating, stress eating and just eating a bit extra because they had a hard day at work, so they just want to treat themselves now.
So, how can you differentiate between eating a pint of ice cream after a long day at work or gulping on it because you are stressed?
The answer is not simple because stress eating becomes a part of life and realizing it is not easy. But it is not impossible either.
To avoid eating mindlessly, it is significant to understand the difference between feeling physically hungry because your body needs nutrition and emotional eating because you are not feeling good.
Before you dig into a food of any kind, especially junk food, ask yourself what you are feeling right now?
Is this need to eat coming from hunger or just because you have nothing better to do and are avoiding the feelings?
More often than not, if you find it hard to differentiate, stop yourself from eating junk food at all. It is healthy in the end, anyway.
If you aren’t truly hungry and your stomach is not asking for it then you most definitely do not need it.
How To Stop Stress Eating?
The answer to the question we have all been looking for. Before we delve into it, let me tell you recognizing that you are stress eating and trying to take precautionary measures isn’t easy and you are definitely brave to be doing that.
Similarly, the answer to this change lies in very small things and little steps you need to take.
Whenever you are stressed and feel like eating, take a stock of your surrounding and try practicing mindfulness.
Try to go to a silent place, away from distractions, and practice heavy breathing. If that’s not possible, go for a walk, and even if that’s not possible just take fresh air with deep breaths for some time.
If you find yourself in throes of an extremely stressful situation that is difficult to ignore, try calling a friend or family that can help you process it.
Keep a water bottle or fresh juice without any additives with you all the time help as well.
Whenever you feel the need to eat, you can just take a huge gulp. It is important to keep a bottle because we often confuse thirst and hunger as well. That leads to unnecessarily eating too.
Not to forget that the mentioned are just temporary measures to hold your hand from eating. You must get to the root cause of the problem.
A licensed professional can help you get to the bottom of the issue and led you to practices that are clinically proven to help.
Furthermore, developing healthy habits like sleeping on time, waking up early, eating proper food, increasing the intake of water, inculcating fruits in your routine, and exercising daily are also stress relievers.
Finally, realize that your eating is connected to the emotions that have been haunting and plaguing you. If you are doing all the mentioned, you are doing your best to control and handle them.
Do not beat yourself when from time to time you lost control and indulge in things you should not be eating.
That’s the part of the healing process and guilt can be a huge setback. As long as you realize that and work hard to gain a healthy lifestyle free of stress, a little push back here and there won’t cause long-term damage and harm to your progress.
