We’re all processing stress and anxiety differently. Some people overeat to deal with an abundance of overwhelming emotions, while others happen to just forget about eating for hours on end. If you find yourself in the latter group, you can meal prep or stock the fridge with your favorite foods and still have a hard time when it comes to maintaining a healthy appetite and keeping your body fueled.
You can try to begin the process of rebuilding your appetite by identifying the stressors that have the most influence on your day-to-day life. If you tend to forget about eating or not think about it until you start to feel weak, set a schedule — it helps create a well-needed structure. Therapy might be a great option, too, as outside support is an essential step toward recovery.
Additionally, you can focus on foods that are easier to digest or make eating fun. Improved self-care and increased physical activity have also been proven to help win back the urge to keep your body nourished and satisfied.
Continue reading for more information about dealing with the loss of appetite caused by long-lasting stress.
Look for Natural Remedies
Herbs help deal with stress because they have adaptogenic properties. Adaptogens improve physical stamina while helping the body adapt to stressors. For example, ginger has been shown to stimulate the salivary glands and help relieve nausea. Lemon balm tea can tackle bloating and indigestion and encourage healthy hunger.
Additionally, CBD and Delta-8 THC, popular cannabis extracts, are known to help relieve nausea and calm your nervous system and digestive tract. The good thing is that you don’t have to go out of your way to try it, as you can shop hemp-derived CBD and Delta 8 products online.
It’s essential to keep in mind that natural remedies can sometimes interact with your medications, so be sure to check with a doctor before adding such products to the treatment plan.
Try Changing Your Eating Habits
Eating smaller meals throughout the day rather than three large meals might help keep your blood sugar levels stable and make you feel more energized. Try eating a meal containing complex carbohydrates with every meal to stabilize blood sugar levels and keep your energy levels up.
If you tend to forget about eating altogether, set a schedule. Use reminders on your phone or leave sticky notes for yourself so you have something to remind you that you should eat.
Furthermore, start with foods you can tolerate, and make sure you are regularly drinking water. If you happen to experience cravings, avoid self-judgment when craving unhealthy foods or those that you don’t eat normally. Permit yourself to enjoy them from time to time because it might be just what your body needs.
You can also try making eating fun by going to a restaurant, preparing something fun and colorful, or beautifully plating your food. Perhaps you could try inviting some friends over and have a meal together to create a positive feeling around eating.
Embrace Therapy
Outside support might be crucial if you’re dealing with stress-induced appetite loss. With the support of a therapist, you can learn skills that can help you to better cope with stress to ensure you are eating, sleeping, and functioning at your best.
Prolonged stress that causes appetite loss can have a detrimental effect on your body and your mind. Lack of urge to eat and prolonged stress are treatable, and it’s more than possible to make a full recovery. At first, you might feel reluctant to talk to someone about what you’re going through, but if you suspect a problem, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
Why Can Stress Shut Down Appetite?
When your body is under the influence of stress, it becomes challenging to maintain a healthy appetite. Our bodies produce more epinephrine in such a situation, which puts us in a state where eating becomes a secondary need. Instead, our fight-or-flight response gets triggered, as our nervous system warns other organs to get ready to face the danger. Only the real danger usually does not arrive, leaving us in a constant state of not being hungry.
Many people who lose their appetites also experience nausea, vomiting, and constipation. What is more, when you skip meals or forget about eating, your body will go into preservation mode by slowing down the metabolism. Not only will it begin to use the fat you already have, but it will also start to break down muscles and tissues to satisfy its energy requirements.
Conclusion
For some, appetite loss is an issue that resolves on its own with time. However, for others, it can quickly turn into a problem that requires medical intervention. It’s important not to ignore the issue if it lasts longer than just a few days. While it might not be a big deal, your body has to be nourished and taken care of to function properly, so there is no point in waiting – it’s better to be safe and sorry.
Consider talking to your physician about any changes in appetite, and learn how to address the issue effectively and comfortably. You can also try natural remedies to boost your appetite or introduce a few changes to your eating habits. Explore the options that lie before you and enjoy every meal!
Barry Lachey is a Professional Editor at Zobuz. Previously He has also worked for Moxly Sports and Network Resources “Joe Joe.” He is a graduate of the Kings College at the University of Thames Valley London. You can reach Barry via email or by phone.
