When eating increases without explanation, stress is usually involved—even if you don’t feel consciously stressed. Research shows chronic cortisol motivates consumption of comfort food, which actually suppresses stress hormones temporarily, creating a self-reinforcing cycle.
This companion explores why stress makes you eat, why naming stressors matters (it interrupts automaticity and opens alternative solutions), an inventory process for identifying hidden stressors, and what to do with the list. (4 min read)