Share:
Permanent stress in the workplace promotes unhealthy diet
In today's society, stress is a common factor that can negatively impact human health. Researchers now found that stress at work can lead to an unhealthy diet. This type of diet can in turn lead to many health problems.
The scientists from Michigan State University and the University of Illinois found in their study that stress at work has a negative impact on the nutrition of those affected. Those affected tend to eat unhealthy foods and more often resort to fast food. However, adequate sleep can counteract this problem. The experts published a press release on the results of their study.
Stress at work does not only affect your mood. Physicians found that stress at work leads to unhealthier food intake and increased fast-food consumption. (Image: Light Impression / fotolia.com) Stressed workers often eat unhealthy
Employees on a stressful day at work tend to carry their negative feelings from the workplace to lunch and thus choose unhealthy food or so-called fast food more often, says author Dr. Chu-Hsiang Chang from Michigan State University in the USA.
What kind of people were studied for the study?
For their study, the experts examined 230 Chinese workers and their eating habits. In the process, the physicians discovered that those who were acutely stressed in the workplace were more likely to eat unhealthy meals in the evening. The unhealthy diet can be the result of diminished self-control, say the experts. A second investigation involved call center employees who were often stressed out and had to deal with rude and discerning customers.
Negative mood due to stress changes the eating behavior
If the participants of both examinations were stressed by their working day, this led to a negative mood of the employees, which in turn led to the consumption of unhealthy food in the evening, explains author Professor Yihao Liu from the University of Illinois. The scientists suggest two possible explanations for these negative effects.
Explanations for the observed effect
Eating is sometimes used as an activity to relieve and regulate the negative mood, researchers say. Or the unhealthy food could also be a result of diminished self-control. The researchers also found that adequate sleep can protect them from the effects of a stressful working day and subsequent unhealthy eating.
Sufficient sleep counteracts the problem
Having a good night's rest can strengthen workers and help them feel rested, better at managing stress at work, and less susceptible to an unhealthy diet after work, the researchers explain.
Businesses should know the problem and tackle it
Companies should pay attention to the importance of health management for their employees, offer sleep awareness training and flexible working hours, researchers suggest. If companies fail to deal with the workload that is occurring, it can lead to long-term adverse health effects for employees, the experts add. There are several ways to deal with stress at work. Even the smallest changes in lifestyle and daily routine would often help those affected feel better, explain the doctors.
These measures can reduce or eliminate stress
The medical professionals also have some advice that can be used to avoid or process stress in the workplace. "Take frequent breaks, take short walks and use the stairs instead of the elevator," the scientists recommend. Stay positive about your work and do not be put off by the workload in panic, so the recommendation of the experts on. You should also avoid excessive consumption of caffeine. Better to drink buttermilk, freshly made lemonade or fruit juices, the authors of the study advise. (As)