Women who have job burnout are more likely to comfort themselves with food, and eat uncontrollably than women who are not overworked. Those were the findings from Finnish researchers who recently conducted a study looking at emotional eating. Other researchers have put forward the belief that a stressful workweek is not the only reason men, and women turn to food when they are tense, and anxious. A visit from the in-laws, an argument with a child, or an all-around low mood can drive people to emotional eating… and chocolate, along with other high-fat foods are the popular choices. Most of us don’t overeat fruits and veggies.
“Stress, anxiety, depression, really any kind of strong emotion can trigger an emotional binge. Emotional eating happens whenever someone has an emotion they do not know how to handle, even happiness, and they channel it into an eating experience” says Dr. Joy Jacobs, clinical eating disorder psychologist at the University of California, San Diego. Unfortunately, the short-lived pleasure we get from eating the chocolate donut may turn into regret short-term and weight gain and related health issues long-term. For some people, the consumption of junk food may worsen overall mood, and or bring on a headache. Dr. Susan Albers, psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic Family Health Center, and author of “50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food” suggests keeping your hands engaged when the craving occurs. Calling a friend, reading a magazine, or finding another way to distract yourself for a few minutes can help. If you can get through the first few minutes without eating, the urge should subside…. Time Healthland 3/2012