Contents Under Pressure

Things are stressful. Not in an overly dramatic way, but in the unrelenting, everyday way. There are things to worry about, deadlines to meet, bills to pay.

In this, I am no different from anyone else. The details of my cares may be different, but the fact that I have them is as common as dandelions in the lawn.

Lately, I have noticed an increase in my hunger. I know for a fact that I am eating enough (plenty, really!), so why? Why this seemingly insatiable hunger recently?

I think it's that my stress is feeling a bit overwhelming at the moment. I have a kid in school. He is probably the least stressful thing in my life at the moment. But I have a husband and a house that needs cleaning and maintenance, a job that demands much attention, and bills that are stretching my ability to keep us solvent at the moment. It's been a bit of a snowball rolling downhill.

And like so many others, my body craves comfort and release from the stress. Food, the action of chewing and swallowing, sweet, salty, crunchy, soft and soothing...

It is hard to resist that temptation. However, I have found a better release. It takes effort, granted, but it really does work better than having another brownie.

I walk. When I get home from work and am feeling a bit on edge, I change into my shorts and a tank top, don my sneakers and cushy socks, turn on the mp3 player and go.

A couple of days ago, this song came on while I was walking. It was perfect.