Stress takes many forms. It can manifest as worry or fear about an upcoming deadline. It can show up physically as tightness in the throat or chest and possibly even as headaches or body pain. The source of our stress is often our jobs, a contentious relationship, a breakup, financial hardships, family challenges and sometimes it is simply the belief that we are not up to the task at hand and even more gravely that we are not up to the task of simply being alive.
To me one of the more ironic sources of stress is the one that by our biological nature is the very thing that should offer us nurturing and sustenance—FOOD!
Whether it’s because we are eating too much and are putting on unwanted pounds or we are eating the wrong mix (hello too much refined sugar and carbs) that creates that same outcome or our diets are loaded with saturated fats and LDL cholesterol which puts us at risk for heart disease the landscape around our food choices is fraught with traps that can cause us not only physical but also mental and emotional anxiety if we are not careful.
The state of our mindset can also lead us to other more severe states of emotional stress around food becoming anorexia, bulimia, physical dysmorphia among others. The scope of this piece will not address these more severe afflictions. I will simply add that I deeply care about all of my readers and if you feel you have symptoms for any of these eating disorders, please seek professional help for support in dealing with these challenges.
Sometimes food becomes the source of our stress because of our misuse or ignorance around it. Like if we are feeling stressed or anxious about work. We might start eating to sooth our emotional discomfort. We may even start grazing while in front of our computer while working and before we know it we’ve eaten the entire box of crackers or worse yet cookies or a large bag of that deliciously salty and fat riddled potato chips. After this tendency carries on for a few, day, weeks, months or God forbid years and we look up and we’ve gained a few (for the fortunate) pounds. We’ve lost our youth and vigor, and this spirals us even lower emotionally and what do we do? That’s right we eat some more, because—What the heck—why not?
At this point we have lost control. We have lost control of our emotions; we have lost control of our behavior and in some respects, we have lost control of our self-efficacy. This loss of control is often a major contributor to our feeling of stress and anxiety. But what we haven’t lost control of is our future and our destiny if we can just pin a small part of our psyches on hope. The hope that within us lies the power to change. A hope that will ignite in us a spark. A spark that fuels a change in the direction our life can take from this moment forward. One that has the power to alter our future and to infuse our destiny with a sense of overcoming and triumph, over what is for many of us our greatest adversary–our own minds.
Earlier I mentioned that sometimes it is simply our ignorance about food and the types of foods that we should be eating to positively impact our overall state of health and wellness. Some don’t have a clue about what their daily recommended calorie intake should be, or the macro and micronutrient recommended amounts are for their gender, age, weight and activity level. SO even though well intentioned they too unconsciously spin out of control by following untenable fade diets or eating too much of the wrong things taking in a lot of calories and missing out on vital nutrients.
To get a handle on the situation, regain control and begin to diminish the feelings of stress we are experiencing there are five vital first steps.
- Step One; Admit that we need help.
- Step two; Recruit that help.
- Step Three; Make a Plan
- Step Four; Understand that the attainment of peace and the execution of your plan involves action.
- Step Five; Take persistent and consistent action.
Ok, name me one instance of peace that didn’t involve taking some form of action. Whether it is peace on a global scale and taking aggressive physical or diplomatic action, action is involved. It goes the same for our individual personal lives. Be it mindfulness practice, meditation, taking a deep breath and counting to ten or an act of forgiveness. Some form of action is involved. And to ensure success that action should be ongoing and consistent.
Be careful though because taking the wrong actions can lead you down the road of inconsistent behavior, one fade diet after another and a disjointed effort to get your dietary life under control. That’s why planning is so essential. In-depth research or the help of a professional dietician or nutritional coach can help bridge the gap of misinformation and effective meal planning and execution.
Whether you feel like your eating is out of control because of the stress you feel or the stress you feel is because your eating is out of control. Help is available. As with all things, your ability to create peace around any challenge is within you. If you need assistance in unlocking your inner power I am always here to help.
Take action!
Namaste!
Eric
GET YOUR COPY OF MY BOOK 29 DEGREES
