Is Your Weight Up Because the Stock Market is Down?

When the stock market goes down does yourneed to, you may overeat later in the day.
weight go up? Do you eat because of stress,4) Meet a friend outside your home for either a meal
tension, anxiety, and pressure? Have financial woesor a walk. It is a good mental-health strategy.
given you additional reasons to eat when you're not5) Save money by preparing lunch at home. It will
hungry? If you've lost your job or your company ismost likely be more nutritious than something that is
downsizing, you may have time on your hands, timeordered in a restaurant or fast food emporium. When
to kill, and are bored with inactivity. Are you reachingyou prepare your own food, portion size will most
for food to fill the hours? Is it more difficult to keeplikely reflect how much you need rather than what
a stable weight as your savings slide downward? Is asomeone serves you based on what they want to
planned retirement or much needed vacation delayedcharge you.
because of money problems?6) Staying alone is too isolating. If you're used to
Some people use food to change their mood, orhaving people in your life in a workplace, going cold
they think food is a comfort or a friend. It is not.turkey by being alone may cause additional emotional
You may think that eating cheers you up, whendistress. Think of doing volunteer work one day (or
you're down and depressed. It does not. It merelyevening) each week. If you can volunteer in your
distracts you from feelings and thoughts you don'tfield of work, even better. You want to pro-actively
want to feel and think. There are some things youfind other things to do with your time, other than eat
can do which can help separate the marketwhen lonely, tired, bored, frustrated or angry.
fluctuations with your weight fluctuations.7) Treat yourself as a worthwhile person rather than
1) A good thing to do when you have moneypunishing yourself for financial problems beyond your
problems or are out of work is to get up everycontrol. Overeating doesn't change the outcome of
morning, shower, and dress as if you are going toanything except your waistline and self-esteem.
work. Routine is helpful in keeping emotions from8) Check on-line job-hunting sites. Explore head
ricocheting off the inside of your skull. It helps tohunters in your field. Network with friends and
structure your time.relatives who may have connections who can help
2) Eat breakfast slowly and thoughtfully while makingyou find work.
a plan about how to schedule your day. It is helpful9) If you're home more than usual, the food in the
to reach out to industry contacts. Or this might be akitchen looms large. Food is not entertainment. Shop
perfect time to do something (work-wise) you'vemore thoughtfully with an eye toward meals rather
always wanted to do. A wonderful hairdresser friendthan instant, quick, foods that can be eaten with
of mine who has two children in college paid for byfingers. More nutritious foods heal the body and
her working, decided to go to Nursing School,supply needed energy. When you feel good about
something she'd wanted to do since her childrenhow you look, you'll make a more confident job
were small. She goes 3 days a week and cut downapplicant when you do get an interview. Junk food
on her work schedule a little bit. She's in her secondenervates, bringing you down with the stock market.
semester and loves it. But make sure your resume isThe moments will pass whether you eat or not.
updated, just in case.Think about how much better you'll feel when you
3) Remember to incorporate a rest break and lunchtake care of yourself in a meaningful way.
into your schedule too. If you don't eat when you