These days, our lifestyles have changed significantly. Increasing work pressure and family responsibilities often cause stress. A little stress is common in today's life, but excessive and persistent stress can be detrimental to health.

When stressed, people adopt various methods to manage stress. Some listen to music, others go shopping. Similarly, some people prefer to eat their favorite foods when stressed. But have you ever noticed that people often overeat when stressed? To understand the reasons, we spoke with Dr. Gaurav Gupta, Senior Psychiatrist and CEO at Tulsi Healthcare, New Delhi. Let's find out why people often overeat when stressed:

Why do people overeat under stress?
Doctors say that many people overeat when under stress, which is often referred to as stress eating or emotional eating. When you feel stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol, which increases appetite and cravings for high-fat, sugary, and salty foods.

These foods temporarily boost serotonin and dopamine levels, also known as feel-good hormones, making you feel better for a short time. However, this relief is short-lived and can be quickly followed by guilt and fatigue, leading to a vicious cycle of overeating.

How to Manage Stress Eating?
Doctors say that to deal with stress eating, it's important to identify your triggers. Work pressure, loneliness, or emotional feelings often trigger stress eating.

Instead of turning to food to reduce stress, try some calming exercises. You can also try healthy methods like deep breathing, meditation, or walking.

A healthy and balanced diet is also essential for managing stress. Getting enough sleep and staying hydrated can also help regulate your hunger hormones.

If cravings arise, choose healthy snacks like fruits or dried fruits. This will satisfy cravings and prevent harm to your health.

Writing down your feelings or sharing them with someone close to you when you're stressed can also be very beneficial. This will help you manage emotional stress.

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