You’re not alone. Job-related stress is widely regarded as today’s major source of stress for American adults, and overeating is one of the most common reactions to stress. It’s no coincidence that growing numbers of employees indicate that they’ve gained weight at work.
When you’re under stress, your body undergoes a “fight-or-flight reaction” and automatically responds by producing increased levels of cortisol, a hormone that readies you for battle or hasty departure. Among other things, cortisol can cause changes in your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing, along with cravings for high-fat and high-sugar foods. Some experts contend that such cravings are your body’s way of fortifying its reserves. Others claim that such foods have a comforting impact that counteracts stress. Either way, cortisol contributes mightily to the craving for such foods. For our ancient ancestors, stress was intermittent, but that’s not the case in most of today’s jobs. Stress is constant for vast numbers of working adults.
Some of the best ways to manage stress and counteract the temptation to reach for comfort foods include exercise, meditation, yoga, deep breathing, increased social contact, and regular breaks. In fact, by walking around, you can get a better perspective, distance yourself from the source of the stress, and even burn a few calories. At the same time, you should try to identify the sources of your job stress and see if any aspects can be reprioritized or streamlined. In managing work-related stress and the overeating that often accompanies it, it’s important to literally and figuratively take steps to deal with the causes as well as the symptoms. | 
