Are you overeating, or so stressed that you forget to eat? (how to fix it) (Daily Update 16)

Emotions are running high these days, and that can lead to all sorts of negative habits, especially around food. Are you eating more than usual? Or maybe so worried that you’re forgetting to eat? Stress affects our appetite in major ways, but there is a simple approach to identify and change these behaviors so you can stay healthy and less anxious while dealing with the current crisis.
Resources:
1. Subscribe to the Dr. Jud channel (click the red SUBSCRIBE button) to be notified of future daily updates, and join a free weekly "office hours" anxiety Q&A session on Mondays at noon eastern US (12:00 EST)
2. Build your awareness using mindfulness practices, like those in the free "Breathe by Dr. Jud" app, available on both Apple and Android devices.
Apple: apps.apple.com/us/app/breathe
Android: play.google.com/store/apps/de.... For more resources on anxiety, including free mindfulness exercises, visit www.drjud.com or follow me on Twitter @judbrewer or Instagram @dr.jud.
3. The University of Oxford Mindfulness Centre is offering weekly mindfulness classes with an associated podcast to support people during the COVID 19 pandemic. Further details here: oxfordmindfulness.org/online-.... Visit the Free Mindfulness Project for a growing library of free talks, videos, online courses and live practice sessions: www.freemindfulness.org/covid19. Also, Mindful Leader is providing Free Live & Online daily meditation & support groups: www.mindfulleader.org/free-me....
Jud Brewer MD PhD ("Dr. Jud") is an addiction psychiatrist and neuroscientist. He is the Director of Research and Innovation at Brown University’s Mindfulness Center, and associate professor of psychiatry as well as behavioral and social sciences at Brown’s School of Public Health. His work has been featured on 60 minutes, at TED.com (4th most viewed talk of 2016), and in media outlets across the world. He is the author of The Craving Mind: from cigarettes to smartphones to love, why we get hooked and how we can break bad habits (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2017).

[@lindasturdivant9593]

I've used the craving tool and it really works! I no longer diet to lose or maintain my weight. My new eating plan is "pay attention!" And I get to eat whatever I want -- as long as I eat it while paying attention and enjoying it. Thank you Dr Brewer!

[@sasquatchkiddo3720]

I'm someone who had their eating restricted with all the stress and anxiety. Thank you for this!

[@macibasmacibas2813]

Thank you, dear Dr.Jud, for addressing this important topic!

[@artwithmaureenmaureensexto199]

Thank you so much for this. Comfort/anxiety/stress eating is a huge issue for me (pardon the pun). I'm going to put the steps you've suggested in place.

[@meeshyell1]

I’ve lost a lot of weight this year, I was already dealing with anxiety before the “virus” I literally am force feeding and using boost , zero appetite

[@alisonokinaka6790]

Thank you so much Dr. Jud, these are helping so much, I hope you and your family are doing well. I wondered if you'd like to speak to how we feel when strangers react harshly to us these days, out of fear. More and more I think we may encounter people who snap at us in the grocery store because they think we have too much food in our cart. This always really upsets me even though I don't think it should.

[@sariejager1858]

Thank you!Dr Jud.I

[@marionannmacredie]

Thank you for all your work! I’m doing your app rewinding Anxiety and it’s great. Would you be able to talk about being trapped with someone you do not wish to be with? I’m in a difficult living situation and particularly now I find myself angry. Is anger a trigger or is it the behavior? I’m trying to find a way through this as the anger always leads to negative thought loops . I’m determined to find a way to live with this in a healthy way . Thank you for you book also that I am reading! 🌹🌹🌹

[@sunset33533]

The book "30 Days to Stop Overeating" by Harper Daniels takes an interesting mindfulness approach. Weight loss can be very psychological, tied to stress etc.

[@edwigcarol4888]

With all the mindfulness it might be difficult some times: my body now does not like at all eating very dark chocolate (85%) But I keep doing it: because I have not been able to cover the genuine need till now, rather to accept the loss (I am crying now that is related to the need - of love from my father a chocolate fan). I would say I ate/hate chocolate! So do I hate myself? Yes... Somehow. I might be concerned and take greater care of myself.

[@brandilee5261]

This was great do you have tips for those who don’t eat when stressed?

[@joywu8481]

I am having more and more snacks everyday working from home. Whenever I take a break, I would take some snacks and shovel them into my mouth. I would do that even as I am telling myself, this is not a good idea. To be honest, I am not feeling that intense stress... Is this something different? Or am I just not aware of the stress I am actually experiencing?

[@everso2151]

Unfortunately, sugar in particular, is a terrible issue to stop. The problem is that the more you eat, the more you want to eat. Whether it’s an addiction-which scientists refute-or a case of blood sugar levels setting of a chain of highs and dips, the end result is that if you can stop eating sugary foods, you stop WANTING to eat them. I find that if I give in and start to have sugar snacks, I will quickly find that I’m eating more and more of them.