Do you ever think about the fact that, if you ate differently, you might be better able to handle the stress in your life? Do you ever wonder how stress might affect what you eat? No matter which way you look at it, stress and food are related. Stress can affect your diet and, the vice versa. Here under, let’s discuss how stress and diet are intertwined:
What is Stress?
Stress is generally considered as being synonymous with distress and dictionaries defined it as “physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension” or “a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize.”
Healthy amount of stress can be helpful and good when it motivates people to accomplish more. Therefore, it is important to manage stress in any possible ways.
Stress Response
When you’re stressed out you’re more likely to either over-eat or under eat. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize how they sabotage themselves with stress. But either of over-eating or under-eating due to stress will negatively impact blood glucose levels that may result in mood swings. Commonly, this mood swings will create conflict and intensify your stress.
When you predominantly eat less nutritious diets loaded with lots of sugars and fats, your body doesn’t have all of the nutrients and energy supplies needed to deal with stress, so instead, you’re more likely to feel grouchy, tired, or anxious. In other words, when you eat the proper foods you are giving your body the fuel it needs to make it through common stressful situations.
Once you become aware of your stress response, you can make the choice to change it.
Stress and Immunity
Stress breaks down the immune system, while the right foods can help support it. Time and time again, studies have proven that stress makes our immune system weaker, leaving us exposed to dangerous viruses, bacteria, and illnesses. It has also been proven that when you eat the right foods you’re helping your body build and maintain a healthy immune system. The key here is simple: Eat right, feel great!
When you look at all of the ways that stress and diet are interwoven, it’s hard to deny the fact that the foods you eat affect how you think, feel, and react. After all, an unhealthy diet not only stresses your body, but your mind as well. A good starting point is to evaluate your daily diet and make one change at a time to create that healthy lifestyle you deserve.
Is Diet Alone Enough?
A healthy and balanced diet can help you manage stress much more effectively, but simply eating right is not enough to help you deal with stress.
There are many different things you can do to help control and manage your stress such as:
- Getting 7-8 hours of sleep at night
- Making time to relax
- Having a support system
- Knowing your limits
- Proactively planning and organizing
- Being able to say no
These are just a few stress solutions that, in addition to healthy eating, will help you limit and control the stress in your life. When you incorporate even just a few of these healthy living strategies into your life, you’ll find that overwhelming stress is a thing of the past; and the weight will be lifted off your shoulders.
Remember, every day is a new opportunity to change your diet, AND YOUR LIFE.
Eat right, Feel great!
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Sidenote:
Stress was put in a negative light and its positive effects ignored. However, stress can be helpful and good when it motivates people to accomplish more. If you are interested to know more about it please visit The American Institute of Stress.
Disclaimer:
This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.
If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately. The opinions and views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, health practice or other institution.
