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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 |
uk
Or alternatively you can make these kind of treats part of your diet and then you dont have to feel bad and guilty for eating them. Feeling negative about what you have just eaten is worse for you than the actual ‘bad’ food. Nobody can stay away from sugar or chocolate for ever so promising yourself you will do better in the future is pointless and will create more pressure and stress. Accept that your body crave these foods, eat them in small amounts and move on. And anyway Zuzka, I thought you were not eating/craving sugar cos its toxic:)
Private Member |
norway
*thumbs up*
Private Member |
lake tahoe, nv, usa
It’s true I don’t that’s why I feel bad because it was a dumb choice and Im not afraid to admit it.
Private Member |
Great post! Work my butt off with these workouts & would much rather see a six pack than bloat! Cupcakes just aren’t worth it when you’re dying in the Zgym!
Private Member |
toronto, canada
Yes, seriously!!
Private Member |
prague, czech republic
Don’t feel bad about eating a piece of chocolate after a hard workout! It is not going to ruin your health, and you are not going to gain a single gram of fat on your body:-) there is nothing bad about having a nice treat every now and then.
Private Member |
lake tahoe, nv, usa
Nice treat, I agree. This wasn’t a nice treat, just junk food.
Private Member |
astoria, or, usa
Next time you’re craving something chocolatey, try blending a banana, an avocado, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1/4 c coconut milk and 1/4 c raw cacao powder…you can add a splash of maple syrup or honey but I’ve found it doesn’t ‘need’ it. It’s good topped with nuts, cacao chips/nibs, coconut flakes and even blueberries. I’ve added peppermint extract for a chocolate chip mint version too 🙂 trust me, we’ve all been there and the guilt is the worst!
Private Member |
curitiba, parana, brazil
I also agree that there is nothing really bad in eating one piece of chocolate sometimes! We need it, our body need it, our brains need it…but only sometimes. I do feel like eating the full bar but I use a little bit of self control and I eat only two pieces. I keep my chocolate bar already cut in squares so that I will take only one or two from the box. And I eat only dark chocolate 70%. I love it…if I had such a nice body like yours, I would surely eat one piece at least on the weekends. That is not a junk food…but sugar. Sometimes we need it and we are here to enjoy life pleasures also! Dont feel bad…:D…if you eat, enjoy it…see you, take care.
Private Member |
ca, usa
As a mother of 4 boys under 12, I am in a constant state of stress. Some good, some not so good. Regardless, I try to keep only healthy treats in the house but inevitably the boys bring junk in and when I am stressed, especially at dinner time, I can make some bad choices. I have to be mindful and if feeling stressed and want to eat the whole bag of M and M’s, I need to go take a quick walk or get out of the kitchen. The other day I went through the cupboard and threw out all the junk so it was not there to temp me! I hate it when I “sabotage” my workouts with my diet!
Private Member |
I see the post below about someone’s recipe for a chocolate replacement. Here’s mine: 1 ripe banana, 1 tbsp almond butter, cinnamon, some kind of milk, and as much cocoa powder as you feel like, plus lots of ice, in a blender. I’m telling you, it’s so so so good. And I LOVE chocolate, and this I actually prefer to a chocolate bar any day. The consistency is so good.
I also want to tell you Zuzka, that I have recently REALLY got back into doing my workouts, and I am following your diet. I am eating almost no sugar, and I am eating very healthily otherwise, basically, following your diet. I feel so good and your workouts make me feel better than any other workouts I do and I genuinely want to thank you because you inspire me so much.
I had joined the Zgym a while ago and then unjoined because I wasn’t using it. But over the next few weeks I will definitely rejoin. Thanks again!
Private Member |
toronto, canada
Damnit. I read this today and somehow today is the day stress got to me! I ate about 3 days worth of food in one day. Sometimes I think I have issues Zuzka haha but like you say, it was a bad decision and I admit it. It just sucks feeling like I have undone all of the progress from kicking my ass in Zgym the last week. (Pulling my hair a little… will get over it soon…)
Private Member |
ca, usa
You are not alone! I have done the same thing. I feel grouse afterwards and it takes about 3 days to get back to feeling better. I think hormones play a big role….
Private Member |
toronto, canada
Yes, definitely 🙁 I don’t know how to change my habits
Private Member |
What about a small amount of dark chocolate when you’re having an intense craving? That is what I do and I haven’t suffered from it, neither my athletic performance or my weight.I actually feel better mentally. I always have some JoJo’s dark chocolate bark on hand. You don’t have to get that particular brand but dark chocolate is said to decrease sugar cravings and it’s got antioxidants in it? Of course you can’t sit and eat a whole box of it. ;0) Anyway, it helps me to have a piece and it helps me to have a cupcake from time to time during special occasions. Most of the time I feel great the way I’m eating, but I’m definitely a reformed junk-food-aholic. My mom thinks I’m crazy that I don’t graze the party food during family gatherings. I just always remind her that I had my time of eating whatever I want and now it’s time to take care of myself.
Private Member |
And I do think it’s important when you do eat something “naughty” to forgive yourself and move on; no guilt.