How to Stop Overeating: 3 Tips to Avoid Stress Eating During the Coronavirus Pandemic by Susan Bowerman, M.S., R.D., CSSD, CSOWM, FAND
Life in quarantine has disrupted all of our lives. Our world has been reduced to our home, with many of us stuck behind our desks, which can lead to stress and overeating. But overeating isn’t the only stress-related behavior that can add pounds. Stressed people often lose sleep, exercise less and drink more alcohol, all of which can contribute to becoming overweight.
What Is Stress Eating?
Stress can bring on fatigue or depression, so healthy eating might take a back seat to foods that are comforting. Those high-calorie comfort foods can stimulate the release of certain chemicals in the brain that make us feel good, but also make us want to keep eating. In a vicious cycle, overeating can lead to weight gain, increasing stress and which, in turn, can lead to more overeating. So before you walk to the kitchen in search of comfort food, here’s some “food for thought” and three tips to help avoid stress eating:
- Own up to your feelings. You know that emotions are the trigger for your stress eating, so why not acknowledge them? It’s OK to feel mad, lonely or bored sometimes. The feelings may be unpleasant, but they’re not dangerous, and you don’t always need to “fix” them. Let your emotions come and go without judging them.
- Eat regularly and don’t skip meals. Give yourself permission to eat. When you’re stressed, it’s easy to put meals off or even skip them all together. But your energy levels may suffer as a result, and you might even end up overdoing it when you do finally eat. If stress is an appetite killer, try eating smaller amounts of food more often during the day.
- Cut back on caffeine. People often feel a lack of energy when they’re stressed and turn to caffeine as a pick-me-up, but it can disrupt your sleep at night. If caffeine keeps you awake at night, drink decaffeinated coffees and teas.
The content on 30Seconds.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The information on this site should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your personal healthcare provider. The opinions or views expressed on 30Seconds.com do not necessarily represent those of 30Seconds or any of its employees, corporate partners or affiliates.
Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community. Inspire and be inspired.
Related Products on Amazon We Think You May Like:
30Second Mobile, Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
join discussion