More People Are Overeating or Binge-Eating During COVID-19 Period Due to More Stress

If you came to my house and saw me eating three McSpicys, five packets of Chwee Kueh and an entire chocolate cake, you’d either assume I was training for an eating competition or that I’d lost a bet.

However, when you asked for the reason, I simply replied: “Oh, it’s Monday”.

Monday in 2020, that is.

2020 has been an incredibly stressful year. We’re all afraid of the coronavirus, we’ve spent a lot of time indoors, and travel is no longer an option.

While some people choose to deal with their stress by punching holes through walls, others are going with another, tastier approach.

More People Are Overeating or Binge-Eating During COVID-19 Period Due to More Stress

More people are overeating or binge-eating to cope with the stress of the pandemic, according to The Straits Times. 

An ST check with four hospitals and clinics found that there’s been a rise in such cases.

And it isn’t just the lack of travel that has people on edge.

People are losing their jobs, facing longer working hours at home, and can now order from an extensive array of food delivery menus with just a few taps of their thumbs.

This has turned all of us into that lazy cat who just sits on the couch all day, passing judgement on other humans.

Another reason we’re eating more is simply that we’re spending more time at home. It’s hard to gobble down five bags of potato chips like a ravenous bear when your boss is staring at you, but much easier when you’re in your room.

Plus, some residents might be too afraid of contracting Covid-19 to exercise outdoors, which only makes things worse.

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You haven’t been to the gym in 10 years, dear reader.

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Our Bodies Crave Food Due to Stress

There’s actually a scientific reason why we crave food when we’re stressed.

According to Toh Hui Moon, a clinical psychologist at the National University Polyclinics, it all has to do with our body’s fight-or-flight response.

See, when we feel stressed, adrenaline courses through our system, shutting down our digestive system and reducing our appetite.

“However, if stress persists, our bodies produce another hormone known as cortisol,” Toh said.

“Cortisol increases our appetite and our motivation as well, including the motivation to eat, which may lead to overeating behaviours.”

So don’t feel bad about eating all those cakes and pastries last night in bed. Your body wanted it badly.

Tips to Avoid Binge-Eating

There are some things you can do, however, to prevent this from happening.

1. Face the Problem Head-on

Every time you feel the urge to binge-eat because you’re stressed, take a moment to identify what’s actually bothering you, and try to deal with it head-on.

Eating delicious food won’t make the problem go away.

2. Do Something Relaxing or Distracting

If you can’t get over whatever’s stressing you out, try relaxing or distracting yourself. Meditate, take a bath, or meet some friends and watch a movie. Exercise would also be a good idea.

3. Don’t Keep Junk Food in the House

If you’re stressed and the only sweet thing you can eat is a banana, that would make your binge-eating problem a little less severe.

We tend to eat a lot of junk food when we have it in the house, so avoid buying lots of snacks, desserts, and junk food, and load up on fruits instead.

4. Therapy

If all else fails, try speaking to a therapist to figure out why you reach for food when you’re stressed.

They could provide you with useful tips and techniques to calm yourself down and avoid that cake in your fridge.