In the latest episode of Mind Your Health, I dive into the sensitive topic of stress eating, a behavior many of us might be all too familiar with. Have you ever stopped to wonder what triggers this? Or the toll it might be taking on your mental and physical health? As a registered dietitian, I have seen the ups and downs of what a diet focused culture can bring about in women.
This is an issue that's become increasingly pervasive in our modern society: the stress induced by dieting and societal expectations around eating and body image. Stress eating has a relationship with our hormones, mental health, digetsive system and nervous system. This means that weight gain, GI issues, mood and metabolism are all related.
Dieting, often brought about by societal pressures to look a certain way, can inadvertently lead to stress eating. When people, most commonly women, feel constrained by rigid dietary rules or the constant scrutiny of societal standards, they may find solace in food as a coping mechanism. The irony is that the very act of dieting, meant to control or reduce weight, can trigger the counterproductive behavior of emotional eating.
We are living through the societal lens of eating 'right' with looking 'right.' When we are continually trying to meet these external standards, the joy of eating is overshadowed by guilt, anxiety, and judgment.
It seems like “intuitive eating” has become somewhat of a buzz phrase, but what does it mean? Let’s tune into what it means to be present and listen to our body's cues… this is how we can foster a healthier relationship with food, free from the chains of societal expectations. Embracing food as nourishment and not an enemy can change the dynamic of eating from stressful to joy.
There is so much to unpack here. In this episode, you’ll discover:
👉🏼 Where stress eating can come from
👉🏼 How overeating affects your body and mind
👉🏼 Tips on how to create a loving relationship with food
👉🏼 What eating in a state of gratitude really means
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Stress has profound impacts on our self-confidence. But why does this occur? At the heart of this lies our "monkey brain" – a primal part of our cognitive function that's wired for survival and riddled with anxiety. When under stress, our brain instinctively triggers the 'fight or flight' response, which redirects oxygen and energy to our limbs, preparing us for quick action. While this may have been crucial for our ancestors when facing predators, in today's world, it hampers our ability to think clearly, make confident decisions, and show up as our most authentic selves.
In our current day to day, our stressors look more like being on time, managing our kids and being in traffic. When we are in this state, essential systems like our digestive organs and even our brain don't receive the necessary oxygen for optimal function. This physiological shift not only clouds judgment but also erodes our self-assurance because we simply can't think clearly.
So, how do we break free from this cycle? The answer lies in mindfulness. By being acutely aware of our values and monitoring our thoughts, we can slowly train our brain to respond differently.
In this episode, you will discover:
🌟How lack of confidence can affect your daily life
🌟Where unexpected stress can come from
🌟Practical tips you can use TODAY to begin to alleviate your stress.
.
Be sure to subscribe to our podcast and YouTube channel so you never miss an episode of the Mind Your Health Show! We release new episodes every week.
Click here to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mind-your-health-podcast-with-dr-connie-cheung/id1297924924
Click here to subscribe to our podcast on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/35dvMqbXWTpzhNYTf7C4hs
And if you liked this message, please leave us a review on iTunes!
.
Be sure to follow Dr. Connie on Instagram and Tiktok!
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In today's episode of The Mind Your Health Podcast, I am getting into a topic that affects us every second of every day: breathing. We breathe in; we breathe out. But... have you ever stopped to consider the physiological effects that breathing has on our bodies, especially when it comes to stress?
Breath is power. It's not just the process of taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. Breathing can get us both in and out of fight or flight mode. Deep, conscious breathing can stimulate a calming domino effect in our bodies, helping to counterbalance stress and evoke calmness.
When we breathe deeper, more oxygen in our blood translates to improved cell function, enhanced thinking and focus, and better energy metabolism. By optimizing oxygen levels, we equip our bodies to better combat the wear and tear of daily stressors.
I hope this episode WAKES YOU UP and helps you realize the power of breath. In the next 15 minutes, you'll discover...
🌿 What body mechanics are affected by our breath
🌿 How intentional breathing can calm us down and reduce stress
🌿 2 different breathing techniques that you can do AT ANY TIME to start regulating your nervous system
Timestamps to Follow Along With:
0:00 - 0:40 Intro
0:41 - 3:20 The Influence Of Breath
3:21 - 10:19 Our Body Is Designed To Breathe
10:20 - 13:30 Breathing Exercise
13:31 - 16:30 Intentional Breathing Benefits
16:31 - 17:17 Outro
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Be sure to subscribe to our podcast and YouTube channel so you never miss an episode of the Mind Your Health Show! We release new episodes every week.
Click here to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mind-your-health-podcast-with-dr-connie-cheung/id1297924924
Click here to subscribe to our podcast on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/35dvMqbXWTpzhNYTf7C4hs
And if you liked this message, please leave us a review on iTunes!
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Symptoms like persistent fatigue, mood swings, sleep irregularities, and even digestive troubles are what we can define as adrenal fatigue… sound familiar?
Adrenal fatigue is a term that's gained momentum in the functional medicine space, but what does it really mean for our day-to-day existence?
At the core of our body's stress response lies the adrenal glands. When persistently taxed, they can lead to what's popularly termed 'adrenal fatigue', impacting everything from our energy levels to our mood, hormones and even our metabolism.
Today we are talking about how everyday challenges, from work stressors to personal upheavals, can drain us, pushing our adrenals to continuously pump out stress hormones. Over time, this consistent demand can wear them out, leading to a hormonal imbalance that affects every aspect of our health and life.
But here's the silver lining: there are natural paths to rebalancing our hormones and rejuvenating our adrenals.
Tune in to this episode, where I dive deeper into the mysteries of adrenal fatigue, uncover its effects on our daily routines, and explore what you can do TODAY to begin mending your overworked adrenal glands.
In this episode, you will discover…
👉🏼 What adrenal fatigue REALLY is
👉🏼 How adrenal fatigue affects almost every aspect of your life
👉🏼 How to naturally begin to heal your adrenal fatigue
Timestamps to follow along with:
0:00 - 1:35 Intro
1:36 - 3:20 Physiological Foundations
3:21 - 11:28 Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue
11:29 - 15:18 How to Naturally Recover From Adrenal Fatigue
15:19 - 16:50 Outro
.
Be sure to subscribe to our podcast and YouTube channel so you never miss an episode of the Mind Your Health Show! We release new episodes every week.
Click here to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mind-your-health-podcast-with-dr-connie-cheung/id1297924924
Click here to subscribe to our podcast on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/35dvMqbXWTpzhNYTf7C4hs
And if you liked this message, please leave us a review on iTunes!
.
Be sure to follow Dr. Connie on Instagram and Tiktok!
https://www.instagram.com/drconniecheung/
https://www.tiktok.com/@drconniecheung_