Skinny Economy & Fat Waistlines

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Added: Tue. Feb 10, 2009 2:44pm
Posted in: Health

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I just heard an interesting news report from Wall Street.  While automobile corporations are losing millions, small businesses are closing, and clothing stores are practically giving things away one corporation is booming.  McDonalds.  As an eating disorder therapist this concerns me.  Long before our economic crisis Americans were facing a serious weight management crisis. Obesity is now of epidemic proportions for both adults and children and I am sure eating Big Macs is not helping this problem. The fact that the McDonalds Corporation is booming tells me the country is, indeed, eating Big Macs. . What's going on here? Two things: 1. McDonalds is making it cheap to eat out and 2. Fat and sugar releases serotonin in the brain which is a natural mood elevator. The stress of the downturn in our economy is making many people anxious and food becomes an instant anti-anxiety medication.  Yes, eating the cheap, greasy burger may help in the short run but when the economy gets in better shape is your body going to be in worse shape?  Here are three tips to reduce the stress you feel over the economy without increasing the size of your waistline.

 

 1. Take a moment to breathe.

     When you become anxious you have a tendency to hold your breath and this raises your anxiety due to a lack of oxygen to the brain.

 

 2. Practice positive self talk.

       You tell yourself between 300 to 1000 words per minute and most of them are  negative or fear based. Tell yourself you are relaxed and happy-even if it doesn't feel true.  Keep it up and it will be.

 

   3. Practice positive visualization.

       See yourself in your mind happy and relaxed.  Perhaps picture yourself in the mountains or on a beautiful beach.  The more detailed the mental image the more relaxed you will feel.

 

The next time you go by the golden arches and get a craving I invite you to give my three tips a try. You have nothing to lose but a lot of unwanted pounds.

 

Written by: Deedra Hunter is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has also published a book called; Winning Custody: A Woman’s Guide to Retaining Custody of Her Children. She has been a mental health professional for over 20 years and specializes in the counseling and treatment of eating disorders. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida International University, and her Master’s degree in Counseling from St. Thomas University. She also holds a Certificate in Chemical Dependency from University of Miami’s School of Continuing Education