How to Overcome Hunger
Hunger affects our emotions in a strange way. Even the nicest people can get a little frustrated, irritable, and irritable as soon as they start to feel familiar stomach pains. One solution is, of course, to eat. But if that’s not an option, there is another way to avoid snickers’ bad publicity.
A recent study published in the journal Emotion attempted to recreate the phenomenon of “hunger” to see how and why it happens. The study, led by Jennifer McCormack , a doctoral student at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in psychology and neuroscience, involved irritating already hungry people with prolonged, annoying computer-generated exercise that was calculated to fail. When they were close to completion, participants were greeted with a pre-planned “blue screen of death,” after which the research staff blamed them for what happened. Yes, it could upset anyone. Add to that the fact that one group fasted for five hours beforehand, and you have several hungry study participants.
McCormack doesn’t know exactly how hunger turns into hunger, but this and other similar studies demonstrate how hunger can have a profound effect on our mood. She explains :
“… it activates many of the same systems in the body, such as the autonomic nervous system and hormones that are involved in emotions. For example, when you are hungry, your body releases many hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline, which are often associated with stress. As a result, hunger, especially at higher intensity, can make you feel more stressed, unpleasant, and ready for action – because of the way these hormones make you feel. ”
What’s more, the same principle can be applied to other physical conditions, says Elizabeth Davis , a psychologist at the University of California, Riverside. She tells NPR Science that studies like this show that our emotions are more closely tied to our physiology than we once thought, and that other physical conditions may have their own versions of hunger.
But how can this be prevented? After all, no one wants to accidentally say something terrible in a meeting just because they skipped breakfast. In addition to grabbing something to eat right now, McCormack offers three simple tips for hungry kids:
- Remember your hunger : The most important thing you can do is admit that you are hungry and at risk of being hungry. When you feel a rumbling in your stomach, stop and tell yourself to proceed with caution. A little mindfulness goes a long way and keeps you from crossing that line. It also doesn’t hurt to alert others to your potential hunger.
- Bring positivity to your situation : When it comes to hunger, context matters. Certain situations, such as being stuck in traffic or running out of a busy deadline, increase the likelihood that you will get hungry. Recognize situations where you are larger than usual and try to change the atmosphere. McCormack says pleasant music, funny podcasts, and other things you enjoy can help reduce stress in a situation, thereby lowering your risk of getting hungry.
- Pay more attention to your body : become better acquainted with your body signals and pay attention when you are usually hungry during the day. Plan ahead and bring snacks so you don’t get hungry. Prevention is the best way to stop it.
McCormack says that when you feel hungry, understanding is everything. It is important to remember to separate your mind from what something makes you feel: this person is not terrible, you are just hungry; the car that cut you off is not worth the road rage, you are just hungry; this is not the longest and most meaningless meeting in your life, you are just hungry. Remember your hunger, try to improve the unpleasant situation, and then grab a bite to eat when you finally get a chance – everything will be fine.