So what’s the significance of this story? Well, I hope it helps some who tend to get so angry with themselves when they succumb to eating under stress. No, I don’t believe this study means that we can’t take charge of overeating, but I think it does show that emotional eating is complex and that our appetites are driven by a number of different issues and realities. The desire to eat to cope with emotions and stress is something that should be approached with respect. Ignoring the cravings or the urges doesn’t necessarily get us where we want to go.
I think the story supports the importance of having tools to cope with stress, to bolster our self-care and to help us feel empowered–tools that we can strive to use instead of overeating or stress eating. What do you think?
Take good care,
Melissa
