Stress Eating

Day 55 of writing every day.

The year-round abundance of food in modern economies is something many take for granted every day. It’s made possible by things like advances in large scale farming and harvesting techniques, imports, improvements in transportation logistics, and food processing that allows for longer shelf life. We’re constantly surrounded by food or near a place we can get some on normal days during peacetime when production/processing facilities and supply routes remain open with minimal disruption if we don’t happen to live in a food desert.

The high fat and sugar foods our bodies crave (because they were rare and hard to come by as hunter gatherers, humans gorged on them if found) are available in greater amounts in recent decades than ever for all of human history. The genetic programming to seek out these sources of pleasure has not caught up with the change in environment. Food corporations use our innate programming against us to produce addictive foods that are cheap and have a long shelf life. Fresh produce is ironically more expensive than processed foods in cases.

While there is some measure of control I think people can exert over their behavior, the temptation to do anything that causes the brain to feel pleasure can be difficult to resist. This urge is near impossible to resist when stressed out and looking for some kind of reprieve from the misery being felt. Not everyone has access to stress relieving companionship or physical/spiritual activities because of time or location.

The need for escape from stress might lead to drugs and alcohol. But for most, food is the most readily available and affordable option that has no issues in regards to legality. Most people who don’t know you will just assume you live an unhealthy lifestyle because you lack the willpower to lead a healthy life. The truth might really be you’re just trying to deal with the stress you’re experiencing from work or other social aspects of life.

Too much stress is a problem that gets overlooked and people only look at the bad behavior others engage in to cope. Sadly, rather than recognize that stress is the source if not a reason for “personal” lifestyle problems, and that changes need to be made so people don’t have to get so stressed, much of society still seems fixated on the symptoms instead and criticize in ways that worsen, not help.

I have already made many lifestyle changes to get rid of many bad eating habits but that doesn’t make me immune to temptation. I don’t crave ice cream as much as before because I know it’s empty calories and my body doesn’t feel any happier eating it than a good salad. But stress makes me want the rewarding feeling that the fat and sugar in ice cream gives the brain. Heck, I find myself wanting ramen, which is fatty and filled with a load of carbs.

Having to budget for food even while working a full-time job without the financial burden of supporting a family is a sign that I’m not making much. I’m not even spending on luxury goods like accessories, electronics, and rarely buy games these days even when on sale. I’m just glad I’m not binging on pints of ice cream as I haven’t given up on keeping stress eating to a minimum.

Anyways, Saturday was occupied by what would be my normal Aikido schedule, so I got to be in a better mood at the end of the day after all. Still have stress eating cravings though.

Thanks for reading!