Stress Eating by Dr. Kathleen Oden

By Dr. Kathleen Oden

Stress-eating can be defined as emotional eating or eating to compensate for, or as an alternative to, dealing with emotions. Approximately 27% of adults admit turning to food to deal with stress, while 34% of these admit that it is a habit. It is so easy to blame external factors like food itself, the person who provided it, or one’s environment, etc. The real underlying issue with stress eating lies in a lack of awareness of our emotions, and how we deal with emotions.

Mostly, stress-eating is done during times when the body does not need food. We need to ask ourselves, “Are we eating to feel that rush of contentment, or because our body actually needs food?” Looking at our eating habits close up is not the most comfortable experience, but it’s the only way to make progress against the damaging habit of stress eating. Mindful-eating is a term that has been coined by experts to help those who struggle with emotional stress-eating to remain present and aware the entire duration of a meal. It sounds like a simple task, right? But consciously savoring every bite of food is a hard concept, even for those who aren’t struggling to overcome emotional stress-eating. Mindful-eating comprises 3 easy-to-follow steps–before, during, and after each meal. So, let’s look at these mindful-eating steps.

1. Assess your hunger truthfully. Check your level of hunger BEFORE YOU EAT anything and also note what kinds of foods would most successfully help fuel your body for the current situation/tasks you’re facing.

2. Chew slowly DURING the meal and try to taste every little flavor.

3. Try to see the meal as fuel to help you achieve whatever tasks, work, or activities you’re planning to undertake AFTER you have eaten.

We need to identify the cause(s) and learn to minimize the risks of stress-eating, so they will not occur again. Then create alternative ways to make yourself content with whatever is going on in your life! For example, reading the Bible, stocking your fridge with delicious healthy foods, pack your calendar with exciting things to do, and be disciplined about setting aside ME TIME for yourself to just relax. Me time is extremely important! I just found out recently, when I get more rest, I can do more work within a shorter time period.

COVID-19 has caused some people to experience stress in many ways such as loneliness, home-schooling, and/or caring for children, working from home, loss of their job, financial problems, and even dealing with family members who are also stressed out.

I love tea and there are many ways to enjoy a cup of natural herbal tea to relieve stress. A hot cup of tea and worship music always helps me to relax and enjoy the presence of the Lord. He is our stress reliever! And He gives us the peace we need when we seek Him.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3 KJV)

Great tips and tricks by Dr. Kathleen B. Odean

FOR ENERGY IN THE MORNING

Hot lemon tea w/1 drop lemon essential oil (add honey and/or stevia to sweeten - optional)

FOR THE AFTERNOON SLUMP

Hot peppermint tea w/1 drop peppermint essential oil (add honey and/or stevia to sweeten - optional)

BEFORE BED TO RELAX

Hot chamomile tea w/1drop lavender essential oil (add honey and/or stevia to sweeten - optional)

CINNAMON

Cinnamon essential oil can help with diabetes, high blood pressure, and inflammation. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon spice or a cinnamon stick to your tea, plus 1 drop of cinnamon essential oil.

Also, diffuse cinnamon essential oil throughout your home. Cinnamon is mentioned in the Holy Bible 4 times.

Dr. Kathleen B. Oden is an author, missionary, and Bible teacher. She has been the Administrator of God’s House of Refuge Church & School of Evangelism, for 25 years. Dr. Oden attained a Doctorate degree in Christian Theology in 2000. After a bad fall in 2014, she realized that she had to start eating healthy, in order to fully recover. She became a Certified Health Minister and a Certified Essential Oil Coach. She loves ministering to people and God gave her a health ministry called, Create AnewU Health Ministry. Her health ministry has opened the door for her to share what the WORD OF GOD has to say about eating healthy. Dr. Oden has published over 20 books through Amazon.com and several of them are about health and wellness. https://createanewuhealthministry.com

NOTE FROM PUBLISHER:

We are so thrilled to bring these articles and tips from Dr. Kathleen B. Oden. Dr. Oden has become a monthly contributing writer for Faith On Every Corner and we welcome her with open arms!