The term ‘Stress Eating’ is pretty much familiar to the current generation who is taking a big step in bringing light to problems we have been facing for a very long time that was not considered as problems at all.
The most common line told about these issues is “It’s just in your head, you know. It will pass eventually”.
We hate to break this to you, but you’re wrong.
Moving on, we want to enlighten you about one such issue people face – Stress Eating.
Keep reading to know more.
BUT FIRST, WHAT DOES THE TERM MEAN?
Let us make this easier for you. Just split the words. Stress and eating.
Here’s what Stress Eating means. People encounter a factor called ‘Stress’ due to not being able to cope with school/work or literally any other reason.
What happens next is that some people who get stressed look for a source to rely upon in order to tackle it.
This in turn leads to eating more than necessary- Overeating or Binge-Eating.
So, here you have it. This is what Stress Eating means.
Read More- How to Stop Stressing Out?
WHAT CAUSES PEOPLE TO STRESS-EAT?
Okay, so you must have understood to a certain extent what Stress Eating really is. Naturally, the next question that pops up is, ‘Why’.
When people are stressed, they look for a coping mechanism. Food is known to be a much-known source to provide temporary comfort in distressing situations, apart from alcohol.
But, what happens inside your body?
Persistent Stress affects the Adrenal Gland in your body. Your Adrenal Gland then starts to release Cortisol, a hormone that affects the Glucose Levels in your body.
Here’s the basic formula your body follows:
More Stress increases Cortisol Levels. Less Stress decreases Cortisol Levels.
More Cortisol leads you to eat more. Less Cortisol leads you to eat less.
‘11 Ways to Lower Cortisol Levels’- By Healthline
DO YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE STRESS-EATING OR NOT?
It can sometimes get hard to accept that you might be facing a problem (like medically or psychologically speaking).
If you broaden your horizons, you will in turn come to realise that Stress Eating is a scientific and psychological matter of interest.
But how psychologically, because we mentioned only the scientific part of how the body handles it?
It’s simple. Stress- is the psychological factor here. The first parameter that makes you crave for numbing it.
We want you to differentiate between the two situations here.
Situation-1: Are you really hungry?
Situation-2: Are you eating because of any other reason apart from hunger?
If you are eating because of the first situation, that is okay because you wouldn’t have eaten much or due to more metabolism or work, your food must have digested a little quick wherein you could get hunger pangs. That’s a sign of hunger.
If you are eating because of the second situation, you have to stop. It’s not hunger that is causing you to eat. It’s emotional distress- A bad day at work, a break-up, a discrepancy in your personal life. It can be anything. This is not hunger. This will lead to Stress-Eating.
Click here to know more about Neurological Effects of Excess Sugar Intake
HOW TO OVERCOME STRESS-EATING?
There are several options to choose from. You can look for the one that suits you the best.
- Approach a family member or a friend for moral support.
- Look for healthier alternatives for the food you overeat
- Try considering Therapy as an option
- Look for a hobby that can distract you from this
- Keep track of weight regularly
- Consult a Nutritionist to set up a proper diet plan for yourself
- Exercise and Meditation help too!
How Exercise can Reduce your Junk Food Intake- an Article by CNA
TO CONCLUDE
We urge you to look at these issues and disorders as actual problems and acknowledge the fact that they exist, not as an abstract theory to make up for an excuse, but as something that needs professional intervention.
Keep in touch with us as we keep you informed and updated about Fitness and Health!
If anyone you know is suffering from Stress-Eating, be sure to tend to them with this blog and stand by their side.
