This time of year brings change, a faster pace, a longer to-do list, additional stress, and for many of us…stress eating. This is a common thing, so if you’ve noticed yourself reaching for your comfort foods more often, you are not alone. We are wired to eat when stress levels rise. Stress eating is a facet of emotional eating. We may eat to distract ourselves from stress (numbing). We may eat to relieve anxiety (you may notice the need to chew something crunchy). We may eat out of a habit of reaching for food when we feel stress or anxious. Cortisol, the hormone released during times of stress, can cause an increase in appetite and cravings, especially for high carbohydrate and/or sweet comfort foods.

So, what can we do??

1. BE AWARE – Check in with yourself and your stress level. Take notice of how stress affects your eating. You can’t change a behavior until you are aware of it.
2. PLAN AHEAD – Try to plan your meals and snacks a day ahead of time. This engages the part of your brain that is responsible for your long term goals instead of seeking pleasure in the moment.
3. PLAN SELF CARE and RELAXATION activities- Take a walk to work out nervous energy and trigger endorphin release. Try 3-5 minutes of deep breathing or yoga poses. Think of a way you can move your body that feels good to you.