Urge To Over Eat And Over Spend!

[Teasel]

Am going through a very stressful time u realise, and it is frightening too.

But anyway, the urge to over over over eat and likewise spend - what's it all about?
Thanks

 

[Anrish]

Eating can be comforting when times are stressful. I also tend to eat more sweets or unhealthy stuff when I'm stressed. It's really hard to keep in control.

When you're stressed, your body is glad about any positive messengers in your brain - best is Dopamin that leads to good feelings and comforts. Some food is also concepted that way that it stimulates the receptors for Dopamin - but it's like being an addict you will need more and more. It's a bio-chemical normality.

The shopping is similar. You feel happy for a short moment after buying something new - so your body produces Dopamin.

Do you have the possibility to rest? Or to release your stress in another way?

Sport or just some walking can help and produces "the lucky hormone" Dopamin - so your urge to eat more or buy more could get less. It's what I do - or do something else to distract you what you like (paint, play an instrument, read a nice book).

Hope that helps. :hug:

 

[Zanshin]

Studies have found that the quest for finding/buying something new also releases the same dopamine. A temporary fix to soothe may be to shop online and put things in a cart, then go back the next day to see if you really need it, or just being able to "find" the item helped.

I'm also guilty of the overeating or wrong eating - I'd suggest water to help, drink every time you think you're hungry (other than obvious legit meal times.) Maybe add a low-calorie flavoring like lemon juice, etc, for some taste.

 

[Teasel]

Thanks both for the info. Helps me to understand it and I really appreciate that at the moment :)
I will try walking.
Hopefully.
Sometime soon.

 

[Teasel]

I just came across this again -

**BODY CARE - exercise, healthy eating, drinking, treat illnes, rest & sleep
**ACHIEVE - work, chores, study
**CONNECT - with friends, family, community
**ENJOY - play, fun, pleasure

When we feel stressed, we often spend more time doing things that help us achieve, but less of enjoyment and connecting with others. When we feel depressed, we withdraw and isolate ourselves and do much less, and when we feel anxious, we tend to avoid places or people where we feel anxious.

Make time for yourself each day - relaxation, fun, enjoyment. Create a healthy balance - allow time for activities which give you a sense of achievement, those that give a sense of connecting with and of being close to others, and of a sense of enjoyment.

These activities affect our brain chemistry by acting directly on the release of neuro-transmitters, and are our natural anti-stress and anti-depressants.

Achievement stimulates dopamine
Purposeful activity stimulates serotonin
Connecting with other people stimulates oxytocin
Exercise stimulates endorphins
Therefore, making sure we keep doing these ACE activities every day, will help us overcome our problems.


It kind of inclydes what you're both saying
Routed out the Duolingo app as I've not felt up to exercise today. And glad to say it seems to be helping.