Stress Eating and Fatigue

As I sit at my computer writing this article stressing about my procrastination, I search for a piece of chocolate…then I stopped myself and realize that I was “Stress Eating!” 

 Everyone eats for emotional and stress relief reasons occasionally. That’s NOT what gets you in trouble. It’s the constant, mindless “grazing” or reactive eating that will put on weight.

Stress eating itself is NOT the problem. It is whatever is driving you to turn to a drug, like food in the first place. When you are done eating the cookies, what drove you to the cookies in the first place is still there. (For me, I just like sweets!)
1. Stop dramatizing! Don’t add to the negative impact of stressful situations by engaging in dramatizing. Even if you are in the “right,” it doesn’t pay to dramatize it. Just move on! “Get over it!”
2. Don’t take it personally. Criticism and insults from other people are often hard to take. I like to see the situation as a “challenge” or opportunity for me to improve myself. What you must remember is that they are dealing with the stress in their lives too. In other words, they are doing the best “they” can – and it has NOTHING to do with you. Let it go and move on.
3. Get some perspective. My husband’s favorite quote is “perspective is reality” How you look at stressful events makes all the difference.  Have you had a stressful situation that you initially *thought* would be a disaster, yet it turned out to be the best thing that could ever have happened?  Try to see the bigger picture!
4. Shift out of negative response patterns as quickly as possible. Start speaking positive words about yourself. Stress eating is both an automatic response to stress and a symptom of it. Your health depends on breaking these habits. Remember, YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR WEALTH!!
5. Recharge . . . recharge . . . recharge. Hang around positive people. Reconnect to old friends. Schedule some “me” time.

nancy @ my.healthiswealth@comcast.net