How does stress affect overeating?

Stress can cause you to find ways to relieve yourself, one of which is often used is to eat sweets. However, eating only works to reduce stress at the time of eating, if it becomes a habit, it can cause eating disorders. Instead, you should choose a healthier way to reduce stress.

Stress can cause binge eating. People with this disorder often use food to deal with stress and other emotions such as anger, sadness, and depression.
Stress-induced binge eating goes on in cycles like this:
You get stressed, crave food, then overeat After overeating, you worry about gaining weight, which puts stress on you. Increased stress Some stressors that cause binge eating include:
Having a major life change like moving house Bullying Bullying Loss of a loved one Money problems Family problems Family problems at work About 1 in 4 people who overeat have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Why does a bad day at work or breakup make you eat sweets? That's because during these tough times, your body produces more of the hormone cortisol, which increases feelings of hunger. From there, promote appetite. If you have binge eating disorder, you already have higher levels of the hormone cortisol than the average person.
Why does eating sweets and starches make the mind more comfortable? In sweet foods, starches contain serotonin, which has a mood-enhancing effect. As a result, cakes, cookies, and chips are often referred to as “comfort foods.” However, this feeling did not last long. Immediately after eating, blood sugar will gradually decrease, you will be tired again.

Medical examination : If you think you have a problem with overeating, you should see a doctor. Your doctor can help you find the cause and treat bulimia. From there, you will learn how to change your eating habits.
Diary: Record the time you eat and how you feel when you eat. In hindsight you can find the cause of your binge eating and find healthier stress management solutions like:
Exercise : Go for a walk outside or take an aerobics class May help reduce cortisol levels, thereby reducing cravings. Maintaining exercise not only reduces the time in contact with the refrigerator, but also helps the body feel more comfortable. Yoga: By focusing on the breath, yoga is a great way to relieve stress. Yoga is a combination of meditation and exercise, so in the process can help you think to make more thoughtful food choices. Eat healthy sweets: When you feel cravings, you should switch to foods that are both appetizing and low in fat and calories. Examples: baked sweet potatoes, wholegrain pasta with tomato sauce or beans, and brown rice. Communicate with people: When stressed, instead of eating candy, you should call relatives and friends to chat. They can help you if you confide. In addition to family and friends, you can also find specialists for the treatment of binge eating disorder and stress:
Psychologist : Help with psychological problems that stimulate appetite . Dietitian: Help you design a diet that will both create satiety and help reduce stress. Fitness Trainers: Offers a workout program that fits your lifestyle.

Stress can make it difficult to control your emotions. Instead of having to control your eating, stay calm and take measures to avoid eating sweets mentioned above, because this not only makes you gain weight but also increases your risk of diseases.
With many years of experience in the examination and treatment of diseases, now at Vinmec International General Hospital, it has become one of the major health care centers, capable of examining, screening and treatment of many specialized diseases. Therefore, if you have problems with stress, nerves and it is very difficult to control your emotions, you can go to Vinmec International General Hospital to visit and receive support and advice from doctors and specialists. family.

Reference source: webmd.com