I think everyone deals with stress differently. Sometimes stress manifests itself mentally. I’ll feel a buildup of fear, anxiety and panic but other times stress manifests itself in my body, my shoulders are tense, muscles are tight and there’s that odd feeling that’s difficult to describe, almost like when you have your hair in a tight pony tail right before you take it out, but all over. And just like that tight pony tail, you don’t realize how much it’s weighing on you until you let it out.
The reason I want to discuss stress today is because of the way stress affects the food I eat. The classic example is back in school, while I slaved over my projects during late nights I usually quelled the sense of impending doom with a little more sugar than I’m proud of. Just one paragraph, just one more jelly bean. I justified snacks as ways to keep myself awake.
Lately with all the transitions of adjusting to a new city, the stress I put on myself from work and the relentless snow (90+ inches so far this past month) in Boston, moderate levels of stress have been the norm. For example, driving, specifically in bad weather and in cities are huge stress triggers for me. They used to be occasional manageable stressful situations, but the last month has been constant unrelenting doses of both on top of each other.
I just started seeing a pattern between this stress and my decreasing appetite, which is something I’ll definitely keep an eye on. My question for you is how do you deal with daily stressful situations?
Yesterday, when I finally got on the highway, after struggling to get my wheel unstuck from a chunk of ice for over 30 minutes in 0 degree weather, I just screamed as loud as I could in my car then I just started to crack up because I sounded so ridiculous. It worked, a little. I also tried aerial yoga with my sister and her roommates and it was pretty incredible.
Eats
Keep in mind this isn’t typical, I normally have a lot more, I just had a lot of trouble finding the appetite to cook or eat from the stress.
Breakfast
Coconut, almond, chocolate smoothie with protein powder
Lunch/Dinner
Arugula, tomatoes, red cabbage, avocado, sunflower seeds, 1/4 sweet potato and 2 fried eggs
Your Turn:
- How do you deal with stress?
- Does stress ever affect your appetite?
Whether it is stress or worry I always seem to attract either or both! I totally get what you are talking about. I actually prefer not to eat when I am stressed because it really messes up with my digestion. I know that some people find relaxation useful but myself I need to release energy, I would go for a walk, dance in my room, sing out loud or even do some kickboxing exercises. It is better to let it out! 🙂
I can definitely relate. When it’s short term nerves like before a presentation or important meeting I can’t eat anything or my stomach will revolt.
I love all those suggestions. I had a mini dance party by myself after dealing with a non-stop avalanche of BS – it helped so much!
Aerial yoga! I’ve been seeing that everywhere, and it seems so fun.
Stress definitely affects my appetite. A few weeks ago I had a crazy busy week at work, and I don’t even think I realized how stressed I was, because I didn’t feel it “mentally,” if that makes sense. But I wasn’t eating enough during the day, and every night I’d come home and raaaaaaid the pantry. I don’t know what the deal was – but I’ve tried to manage it better!
Ughhh thinking of all my northern friends in this brutal brutal winter. Brighter days are coming, Georgie!!
It was pretty incredible (and challenging) I want one of those hammocks/sling things for my room.
That definitely happens to me where I mentally don’t register the stress until I start to physically feel sore or get a headache.
Ah getting emotional in your car…It happens all the time! It’s usually the place where I just let the tears FLOW. 🙂 Stress affects my sleep big time. I cannot sleep and almost have the feeling of a panic attack and cannot shut my brain off. I also find that when I am stressed, I am really bloated. Weird right? Stay warm and sane! XOXO
I hate that feeling when you’re anxious and you know you need your rest but your brain refuses to turn off. So frustrating. I think I get bloated too – I’m always amazed by how the body reacts to certain outside factors
Sadly stress= me eating a ton! And definitely craving carbs and sugars.
Oh yeah, sugar was the way I coped with studying stress. No bueno.
I harbor my stress in my stomach, so when I’m stressed, my stomach hurts. Leading to different eating habits. Sometimes I eat more than normal, other’s less but it definitely causes some difference in routine. Carving out time to nap or watch Tv or exercise is my key to *trying* to stress less.
A nap sounds perfect – usually when I wake up I feel like I have a bit of a fresh start. It’s crazy how much the brain and stomach are connected.
Oh, I definitely feel ya. Traffic and being in situations where I’m around lots of people for an extended period of time stresses me out quickly. Add in the brutal Winter cold, which I can’t stand either?…It’s a formula that has me on higher stress levels! A few things that help me cope are movement (exercise–especially higher intensity exercise), talking and having a fun time with friends so long as it’s not in an overly crowded club or noisy environment. And if I can get outside, definitely just taking a long walk outside and appreciating the quiet and beauty of nature! Here’s another trick: Scoot your booty up against a wall while lying flat on the ground face up. Extend your legs straight up on the wall so it’s as if you are “sitting” flat on the wall. With your feet up in the air like that against the wall, just take in some deep breaths. It’s been shown this position increases blood flow to your brain and helps relieve stress.
You’ve just reminded me of that pose against the wall! I used to stay in it for a good 10 mins after my work day (I would be on my feet all day and it killed me back then!) – I totally agree, awesome stress reliever.
Oo that sounds like a great idea – I never realize how tense I am until I start trying to stretch.
Stress usually makes me lose my appetite , I usually try to deal with it by exercising, taking a walk or just taking a few minutes to close my eyes and think about nothing. I did have a few late night stress sessions in college where a bit too much ice cream was consumed though. 😉