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Stress and Pleasure-Seeking
Health | March 20, 2015
There are so many things involved in how we react to stress including hormones, brain function, physiological responses, etc. Honestly, I get stressed out just trying to figure it all out! Still, the more we know on the subject of stress and wellbeing the better prepared we are for dealing with it. I’m a firm believer that knowledge is power.
A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology tackled the subject of stress and the pursuit of pleasure. The researchers found that stress often created a desire or need to feel ‘good’ or ‘better.’ This need was defined as reward seeking. For example, a sudden craving for red velvet cupcakes on a Monday night because your boss’s voice is still bouncing around your head like an angry pinball from the morning meeting – pretty standard stuff that most of us have experienced at one point or another.
However, and this is the important part of the study, there was no greater satisfaction or pleasure in the reward even though the desire for it was greatly increased due to stress. Specifically, the study demonstrated that stressed individuals put up to three times the effort to experience a reward, but did not enjoy it anymore than those who were not stressed.
This study ties in with a lot of compulsive behaviors that people suffer from due to stress. There are so many behaviors that negatively affect us because our minds are simply fried from our jobs, relationships, families, etc. Smoking, drinking, overeating all the way to drug addiction are now common problems. Stress can trigger an overwhelming need to satisfy ourselves with something, anything quick and pleasure-inducing even if we suffer from negative consequences as result. This can lead to a spiral of bad behavior that is basically the equivalent of an addiction even it’s something as seemingly harmless as Cheetos and Twinkies on a nightly basis.
Often the hard choice is the better choice when we’re stressed out. Sure it can feel like a challenge when surrounded by all that anxiety and emotion, but when we know better, we should make the best effort to do better. If that means working out, taking a hot bath or even just taking a deep breath, so be it. Sometimes growth is a slow game of inches. We can only see the results over time with patience and consistency. And yes, I do feel bad I ate that chocolate. I could have rewarded myself with something far more healthy and delicious, that would make me feel good for the long term, not just in the moment. From now on, let’s try our best to focus on long term happiness instead of short term pleasures.
Private Member |
ky, usa
Don’t be so hard on yourself Zuzka. Like you say with working out, it’s all about being consistent. Same with your diet. You are consistently eating healthy so one bit of junk is not going to ruin your health. I like to eat healthy because I work so hard during your workouts that I don’t want to sabotage it, but every now and then I think, “What’s the point in working so hard if I can’t have something I crave now and then?”
Private Member |
lake tahoe, nv, usa
No I understand what you mean, however it’s not about not wanting to have a nice treat here and there if it’s a conscious decision. For example if Jesse takes me to a nice restaurant and orders a dessert, I would consciously choose to enjoy it. What made me feel bad is more the unconscious decision out of emotions. Reacting to your emotions and allowing yourself to make poor choices based on your emotions is what gets people into trouble. If you don’t realize that and stop that behavior, it can shift into a paradigm.
Private Member |
ky, usa
Oh, I see what you mean! I don’t feel guilty either if it is a choice, but you’re right when it’s unconscious I do feel guilty too. “Why did I just do that!!??” Hey, if you are stressed or need something, we are here for you!! 🙂 we love you.
Private Member |
lake tahoe, nv, usa
You’re so sweet 🙂 It was just a regular day to day stress that I didn’t even realize I had until the chocolate was gone! Haha.
Private Member |
You are very right in making this difference, I totally agree.
Thanks for sharing that such things happen to you as well 😉
Private Member |
There’s no point in feeing guilty about food. Healthy is not only what’s good for your body, but also for your mind. 🙂
Private Member |
I think most everyone struggles with the need to escape — especially in todays’ society of everything being so rushed.
Over the years, I have learned to make healthy (gluten free and/or raw) deserts that taste delicious and I allow myself to have desert each week. When I do, I allow myself to have as much desert as I want; however, my rule is that I need to stop when I begin to feel full. This helps me to practice my intuitive eating habits.
Another thing I do is I make my own chocolate. I make it out of coconut oil, stevia, coconut butter, cocoa powder and a pinch of salt. It tastes wonderful and I allow myself to have a small piece each day as a healthy fat!
Most importantly I’m discovering that when I do abuse food it’s usually because I’m trying to escape and my spirit is crying out because it’s hungry. Currently, I’m trying to focus on meditation each day – I just do 10 min; and I feel it really works!
Private Member |
I just read all your comments and it made me feel so much better- thanks a lot.
Recently I quit my job because of some troubles there and it didn’t felt right to be there anymore (short version of a looong story). And I was really strong and brave throughout that process, but now that it’s all done – at home – it isn’t that easy anymore.
The last two days I didn’t feel like working out and I was overeating a lot – also a lot of sweets. I know I’m “eating my emotions” right now and you know what: The only thing that helps me out is to forgive myself and give myself a big hug.
I had this knowledge already but I got caught in some “not-wanting-to-be-aware-of-that and feel guilty” instead. Which doesn’t help to get out of this vicious circle – at least for me.
Thanks for reminding me of all that!
Private Member |
Hi Zuzka! First of all, thank you for your workouts and encouraging posts!
I have been struggling with my diet for a long time; I can eat very healthy for a couple of weeks, and then I get cravings and overeat, just can’t stop eating! I’ve tried to have one cheat day per week, delete sugar from my diet or stick to small portions, but nothing is working! It seems like my will-power isn’t strong enough and I always fail after a while 🙁
I would like to know how all of you fight against cravings! And Zuzka, I was wondering if you could post an example meal plan on what and how much you eat during one day. A ready-made plan would probably help me sticking to a healthy diet!
Thank you!!