Shift your mindset to avoid COVID-19-induced stress eating

Anxiety often is prompted by uncertainty and a lack of predictability or control in your current routines.

According to Michelle Hunt, a clinical psychologist and licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor with Virtua Medical and Bariatric Weight Loss, that's the reason the spread of COVID-19 is causing anxiety even in those who, in normal situations, aren’t particularly anxious people.

Why do we turn to food in times of stress? Hunt said when we eat foods that are unnaturally high in sugar, artificial sweeteners, carbohydrates, fat, and salt, you get a greater “feel-good” response, which temporarily lifts your mood or eases your stress.

She said the best thing you can do is shift your mindset away from the negativity of the situation and focus on what you can do to make the best of this situation. Sort of like making lemonade when life gives you lemons.

She also offers these important tips:

Create structure and maintain normalcy as much as possible. Try to wake, sleep, and eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner, at the same times you would normally—set alarms if you have to. In addition, eating regularly timed meals will prevent nighttime overeating or binges that often are prompted by being overly hungry.

Stay connected during this time of social isolation. If you’re home with family or others, celebrate your togetherness by cooking healthy meals you might not otherwise have time for and enjoy sharing the meal with each other, rather than by yourself. This promotes a sense of calm and connectedness and eases stress.

Use the time you have to plan for success. When following a healthy-eating lifestyle, meal planning, shopping, and food prepping are all essential for success. Try to shift your mindset to make these activities a priority, since they’ll help you maintain a sense of structure and normalcy, and help you have a sense of control during this stressful situation.

Manage your mindset to manage your health. Manage stress with positive distractions, staying connected, maintaining a schedule that includes food prep and exercise, as well as through limiting your exposure to the news.

Overall, maintaining mental and physical health comes down to managing your mindset.

Hunt offers more details on managing your mindset on the Virtua website.