As if we didn't know already, there's now proof that social stress (e.g. job pressures, relationship issues, dealing with this increasingly fast-paced life that we feel is essential) leads to obesity. What do we do when we're under pressure - soothe with food!
"A recent study conducted by the Departments of Psychiatry and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, examined the effects of stress on the meal patterns and food intake of animals exposed to the equivalent of everyday stress on humans. The results suggest that, not only does stress have an impact on us in the short term, it can cause metabolic changes in the longer term that contribute to obesity."* Once again, a moment on the lips....a lifetime on the hips. So how can we deal with this? First, step away from the corn chips/chocolate and sit down!
But seriously, we need to launch ourselves out of this vicious circle. I haven't worked out how to draw a circle on this blog so here is a list instead.
A. We feel stress (for whatever "modern lifestyle" reason).
B. We soothe that feeling with the readily available, high calorie food in our environment.
C. We feel guilty and ashamed about our poor self control** and the extra weight we gain.
D. So now we have another source of stress. (Have you noticed...Step D is Step A wearing a disguise)
And what do we do when we feel a stressor? Repeat Step B, C, D, B, C, D and so on.
The key thing to remember is that food is not the only soother available to us. At the "micro" level we can choose to
1. Do something about the stressor/emotion
2. Find a distraction
3. Do nothing and simply sit with the feeling, knowing that it will diminish over time.
At the "macro" level, we can consider what our 24/7 lifestyles are doing to us and question if we're actually on the right path for a rich and fulfilling life? What do you think?
I'm always sad around Father's Day as mine has been gone for seven of them. But to all of you who have one who's alive and kicking, I hope you (and he) enjoy tomorrow. C
* Quoted from Medical News Today 4/9/10 article
** It always makes me laugh that an overweight person can believe they have poor self control. This is someone who probably spent six months on Ultraslim or the Cambridge diet. Now that takes an ENORMOUS amount of self control!
This is so true about the cycle of stress and overeating. Having just completed a full cycle of my own I noticed that the three options suggested are in fact equally hard to consider when you buried in stages B,C and D. The only hope I think is to recognise when you are at the tipping point (i.e. stage A) and consider these options as part of the journey to stage B
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