Stress eating, i.e., turning to food for comfort when life gets hard, is a common phenomenon that most of us face at some point or another.
As per experts at Harvard, emotional eating can be triggered by both biological and learned behaviors.
Why does this happen?
When you are under stress, your body produces more cortisol, a hormone that can increase appetite and especially cravings for sugar and other high-calorie foods. Over time, if you choose food to become your default coping strategy, this pattern can contribute to weight gain and other health problems.
One reason stress eating persists is that it often doesn’t start with physical hunger. Instead, you may find yourself reaching for snacks when you are bored, tired, emotional, or merely out of habit.
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Because eating can distract or soothe, the brain and it begins to associate food with emotional relief. This is a cycle that creates the habit unless you consciously change your response.
How to stop stress eating?
Move
It is advisable to take a quick walk or include a brief stretching session between tasks instead of reaching for comfort food. According to experts, exercise releases endorphins, natural chemicals that reduce stress.
Distract yourself
Listen to your favorite music or podcast, or you could even find any activity that will help you distract from the thought of eating
Prioritise sleep
Fatigue can amplify cravings, hence ensure you are sleeping for an adequate time.
Practice relaxation techniques
Experts suggest that considering deep breathing, meditation, or writing in a journal can forge new, more productive coping mechanisms.
Seek counseling
Seek help when you are unable to identify emotional eating triggers, as well as develop healthy stress management strategies.
For more information, consult a health expert.
