Sometimes I over eat or make bad food choices when I’m stressed. It’s at those times that I tend not to step onto the scales because I know my weight will be up. Scientists from the University of Liverpool Psychology department found that stress acts as a trigger to over-consume and in particular, females who eat in response to emotions were more prone to excessive food consumption when stressed. Ain’t that the truth! Ever eat a whole bag of M&M’s (or whatever your craving might be) right before your period? I have. But there’s so many events that can happen in our lives that causes stress. Losing a loved one, losing a job, too many bills, unfaithful spouse, unruly children, and being over-weight can cause stress, the list goes on. Everyone handles stress differently and I don’t handle it well at all.
Prevention magazine gives a few ideas on how to take the edge off negative emotions and possibly reduce stress.
- Call a friend
- Read a book or magazine
- Take a scented bubble bath
- Go to the gym
- Write your feelings in a journal
- Play with your kids or your dog
- Have a massage
- Go to a movie
- Take a 30-minute walk
- Buy or pick some flowers
- Listen to music
- Take a catnap
- Work on your hobby
- Rent a DVD
- Do volunteer work
- Drop in on a neighbour
- Take a yoga class
- Do three total-body stretches
- Meditate or pray for 15 minutes
- Watch one of your favourite TV shows
- Spend 15 uninterrupted minutes catching up with your spouse
- Sit silently for 10 minutes
- Walk around the mall and buy yourself a small present
- Have a heart-to-heart with a friend
