Stress Eating and Will Power?

A study was published recently in the medical journal Neuron about how stress alters brain function in relationship to healthy eating choices.

Volunteers who were intentionally subjected to a stressful stimulus (having a hand stuck in ice-water for 3 minutes) showed increased activity in the regions of the brain involved with signaling that a food is appealing with a simultaneous decrease in the areas involved with self regulation/willpower when compared with a control group.

During the stress response it would seem that taste trumps health considerations (but you probably didn't need me or some academics to tell you that!)

The researchers suggest that a helpful intervention is to remove tempting items such as junk food, cigarettes or alcohol from your environment when you know you are going to be experiencing a challenging time.

This general idea has actually been around for along time.  In addiction's programs members are told about the acronym HALT- that relapse into addictive behaviors becomes more likely when a person is Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. Pretty much common sense, but it is interesting that modern brain science further validates it.  

I would add that the practice of self-hypnosis or mindfulness can alter your stress responses in a positive way even if there isn't much you can do about your external circumstances at the moment. This is why I teach these skills to virtually all of my weight loss and smoking cessation clients.

If you would like to learn more, a free, confidential phone consultation is available, call (732) 714-7040.

Source for this article http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/05/us-health-stress-self-control-idUSKCN0QA21Q20150805