Stress is a major factor that may lead to bad eating habits. Some people overeat when they are stressed. They are not hungry, they may not even particularly care about what they are eating, but they eat. I am this type of eater, an emotional eater.
Eating habits are manageable. Stress is manageable. If you can manage your stress, you can manage your eating behavior. You will also live a longer and more enjoyable life.
The One Minute Manager Gets Fit by Kenneth Blanchard, Ph.d, D. W. Edington, Ph.d, and Marjorie Blanchard, Ph.d (ISBN # 0-688-06206-7, published in 1986) discusses the relationship between health, stress and success.
This book teaches that stress is a part of a normal life. Strain is the physical and emotional effects of stress. Strain equals how you cope with stress.
There are four factors that minimize strain. They are:
- autonomy
- connectedness
- perspective, and
- tone
Autonomy provides you a sense of independence. It allows you to make choices. This act of control, making your own decisions, makes you feel in control of your goals and life.
Connectedness is your relationship to the people you work with and your community. This factor makes you feel part of your environment. You know people who can help you when necessary.
Perspective is how you deal with life. I remember reading that life is not what happens to you but how you deal with it. My dad says, "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade."
I believe that you choose your attitude every day. That is perspective.
Tone is how you feel about your body, health, and appearance.
I believe that perspective and tone are the most important factors. These factors can make a big difference in your life. A good attitude about life and good thoughts about how you feel about yourself will make a major difference in your life.
Tone, feeling good about yourself, will also help you make better eating choices. A good mixture of these four factors helps you manage your stress.