An irregular sleeping pattern or chronic stress can lead to irregularities in meal timings and in most cases eating disorders which can cause under-eating or over-eating, both of which can be equally harmful to your physical and mental well-being.
According to nutritionists, even minor cues like comings across some unpleasant news on the television can be enough to lead to a loss of appetite, and that’s not even taking into consideration the current global social climate in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and social distancing measures .
What makes matters worse is that chronic stress can lead to other conditions like sleep disorders, insomnia, and mood swings- conditions that can lead to eating disorders themselves. What’s more, an eating disorder itself could result in the aforementioned conditions like insomnia and stress. What a vicious cycle!
It is important to remember that while disorders like chronic stress, insomnia, mood swings, and sleep disorder can greatly diminish your appetite and daily calorie intake, they don’t actually diminish our bodily requirements when it comes to food. Luckily, there are some simple steps that can be taken if you don’t have the time or energy to prepare a healthy meal at home yourself.
The number one most important rule is to stay hydrated; water can be an effective way of avoiding the illusion of an empty stomach and is great for flushing your internal system too.
If you’re not a fan of drinking plain water, you could add your preferred flavors to make it more appealing but make sure to stay away from sugary or carbonated drinks.
When it comes to maintaining healthy habits, whether its outdoor sports, indoor games, working out, or generally any habit that you wish to do on a regular basis, the first step is to create a structure, a schedule, and then sticking to it.
A schedule can be a good reminder to eat when you are stressed or have lost your appetite and it can also be an effective disciplinary tool if you find yourself reaching for that cookie jar in your bedside cabinet for an untimely snack.
Now let’s be honest, a snack or a cheat meal is just important for maintaining a healthy routine as the routine itself, which is why it is important to plan your snacks and cheat meals when making your daily or weekly schedule.
Snacks between meals can bolster your metabolism , ensure a regular dietary pattern, and provide regular energy to your body whilst also being good for your mental health.
