Why You Eat TOO Much?
On the other hand, the milder anxiety of less intense stress may trigger excess eating for
distraction, comfort or tension release. And when you're under stress you are more likely
to eat fast, to eat high-calorie foods and to eat more often.
For the small portion of the population with true eating disorders such as anorexia,
bulimia and binge eating, stress can trigger a relapse.
What You Can Do?
Keep a supply of low-calorie munchies handy at work. Avoid caffeine. Before you eat, try
one of these stress-relieving exercises:
Deep breathing: take several deep breaths, using your
stomach muscles, hold and let all the air out, feeling tension leave your body as you
relax.
Stretching: shrug and rotate your shoulders; clasp your
hands behind you and raise them to a comfortable height; stand up and reach for the
ceiling; bend to either side to stretch the muscles of the torso.
Take a brisk walk around the building.
Close your eyes and visualize a favorite peaceful spot-a
meadow in spring or your favorite hideaway. Do this until you begin to feel relaxed.
Managing Stress:
Changes in eating habits are a sign that all is not well in your life. If your weight or
eating habits have changed as a result of stress, you can be sure that your health is
being affected in other ways as well. Take a look at your lifestyle and see if there is
anything you can change to make it less stressful. Ask your doctor to refer you to a
stress-management clinic where you will learn such coping techniques as meditation,
visualization and progressive muscle relaxation. |