We all do it - our days are overcommitted and lunch consists of whatever is handy at the local corner store. And guess what? When you’re stressed your body craves salty, fatty, sugary food food––a lot of it––and Harvard researchers have reported that stress from work and other sorts of problems correlates directly with weight gain.
The major problem with stress eating is that it’s a vicious cycle. You’re stressed, so you naturally gravitate towards things like ice cream and mac and cheese, but then feel guilty which leads to more stress. It’s a tough pattern to break and as we continue to pile more and more commitments onto our already busy lives, it only gets worse.
But don’t stress about it. Think about tackling the problem of stress eating as a two step process. First, tackle your stress levels. The root of the problem is that you are leading a stressful life. Second, set yourself up for future success. Stressful situations WILL happen, so how are you preparing for that in a way that keeps you on track with your health goals?