Welcome to Healthy Exchange ...your quarterly online newsletter from Sapphire Resource Connection, your Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Each issue provides information to help you better deal with personal, family or work-related concerns.

Your EAP is Here to Help

If you’re faced with a problem that seems hard to solve on your own, your EAP can help you with free, confidential counseling, information or referrals. Your EAP is a DIRECT ACCESS MODEL so you can call an approved EAP counselor of your choice to schedule an appointment. To obtain phone listings for your EAP counselors, visit www.sr-connection.com or contact your Human Resource Department. For more information call (406) 523-7707 or toll-free: 1-866-767-9511.

 

Winter 2024 Edition


Wellness

When Is Eating To Relieve Stress A Problem?


According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA), one in four Americans turn to food to help alleviate stress or deal with problems. However, turning to food in an attempt to relieve stress is an unhealthy behavior that can actually lead to health problems that result in increased stress.

Comfort eaters report higher levels of stress than average and exhibit higher levels of all the most common symptoms of stress, including fatigue, lack of energy, nervousness, irritability and trouble sleeping. Comfort eaters are also more likely than the average American to experience health problems like hypertension and high cholesterol. In addition, 65 percent of comfort eaters characterize themselves as somewhat or extremely overweight and are twice as likely as the average American to be diagnosed with obesity.

When is comfort eating bad? Some eating to promote feelings of calm and relaxation is considered well within the range of normal and healthy behavior. However, eating to relieve stress becomes a problem when stress-driven eating becomes excessive and interferes with good health.

Healthier ways to manage stress

If you’re in the habit of eating when you’re stressed out, you can learn healthier ways to manage stress. The tips below can help you get started:

1. Learn how to identify the difference between eating for hunger and eating in response to stress. Physical hunger builds gradually, is felt in the stomach, occurs hours after a meal, goes away when full, and eating leads to a feeling of satisfaction. Stress eating develops suddenly, is felt in the mind (having a craving for chocolate), is unrelated to the last time you ate, persists despite fullness, and eating leads to feelings of guilt. When you feel the urge to eat, get in the habit of asking, “Is it physical or is it stress?”

2. Learn how to face stress-causing problems head-on. Ask yourself: “What specific problems or conflicts are troubling me and how can I deal with each of these problems effectively?”

3. Engage in healthy activities that give you stress relief, such as exercise, meditation, listening to relaxing music, a warm bath, gardening or engaging in a hobby.

Your EAP is here to help

If stress-driven eating is a problem, contact your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for CONFIDENTIAL counseling, referrals or information. Your EAP Professional can help you identify the source(s) of your stress and help you develop an action plan to overcome your unhealthy use of food to manage stress and learn healthier ways of living. If you need help, why not call an EAP Professional today?

 
   
 

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Disclaimer: This newsletter is not intended to provide medical advice on personal wellness matters. Please consult your physician for medical advice.