I think it’s safe to say that everyone feels stressed out at one point or another. Some react by sweating, others react by freaking out and verbally assaulting their best friend. Two of the most popular (and detriminatal to your health) reactions are eating and skin breakouts, which are hard to control.
In these trying economic times, people are losing their jobs left and right. This article from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC.com) website focuses on how stress makes people decide on unhealthy food choices. One woman interviewed gained 15 pounds after losing her job. She said that she was bored, and eating whatever was easy and available. In her case, this food were carbs-loaded: bread, chips and mac ‘n’ cheese. These can also be considered comfort foods to many of us.
Psychologist Beverly Bird is also interviewed for the AJC article and says that eating these foods gives us a short emotional high, but once all the food is gone, we still are facing the problems that led us to eat the entire jar of cookies.
The article offers great suggestions to avoid emotional eating. Some include:
- Take five: Before you inhale that bag of Doritos, step away for five minutes. Take deep breaths or go for a walk. Your urge to eat will likely pass.
- Plan ahead: Keep healthy snacks — apples, pears, high-fiber granola bars and small portions of almonds — at your desk. You are less likely to head to the vending machine or the communal tray of Krispy Kremes when you have healthy options on hand.
- Take more steps: Take the stairs, go for a walk at lunch. This burns calories — and reduces stress.
- Be social: Talk to your spouse. Pick up the phone and talk with a friend. You may just want use your mouth to talk, not eat.
(Check out the article to read more about saving money when grocery shopping.)
Skin problems is also a big issue that men and women both grapple with during stressful times. Both young and old, Americans are seeing breakouts, dryness and wrinkles–most of which is caused by stress. In the March 2009 issue of women’s beauty magazine Allure, author Sarah Van Boven writes about what is happening to your skin during stressful times and what you can do about it at home. Since we cannot simply instruct our bodies to stop freaking out, we have to deal with stress acne by buying Clean & Clear products and visiting the dermatoligist. Unfortunately, the treatment gets pricy. The article also includes the best sking-revitalizing kits, the cheapest being $25.99. But if you look good, you feel good, right?
