Eating Disorders

Stress eating becomes a habit once our brains recognize that the action gives us pleasure. When we eat carb-loaded, starchy, sugary, or salty foods, the reward system in our brains activates, and we feel relief from whatever is stressing us out. But we know that is only a temporary relief, and the stress (and the emotions that come with it) will return. How to End the Stress Eating Cycle You can end the cycle of stress eating with a few lifestyle changes. Ask yourself if you are really hungry. Before you reach for that chocolate candy on your coworker’s desk or pull into the drive-thru after a long day, pause to ask yourself if you are truly hungry. Hunger is a physical sensation in your stomach, not an urge. Is your stomach growling? Can you feel a little bit of acid moving around? These are physical cues that your stomach is empty, and you need to refuel. However, the urges accompanying stress eating feel more like a pulling sensation. It is a sudden demand for food. You may have just eaten a meal and felt full not twenty minutes earlier, but now the urge to eat something sweet, salty, or starchy is all you can think about. Like a smoker with the habit of puffing a cigarette, you desire to put food in your mouth. In reality, you may only be tired, angry, bored, or lonely. Ask yourself what emotion is driving this eating behavior. Do something else. One of the reasons we stress eat is boredom. We may have a list of things to do, but we want to distract ourselves, and nothing can take our minds off our worries. In response, we turn to food. Instead of reaching for a snack, make a list of self-care tasks. [...]