Adults experience stress. They know it very well, and they are very familiar with how it makes them feel. They recognize the fatigue, tense muscles, irritability, and sleepless nights that are often caused by stress. Adult stress often comes from work. They may stress over workplace presentations or evaluations, for example.

Children also experience stress. While they do not hold jobs, they do go to school. Their stress often comes from school and relationships. They may stress over a big test coming up or a conflict with a friend.

There are two problems that come from using food to deal with stress. One is that this way of coping will cause you to gain weight. After using food to deal with stress, you will soon begin to notice that your clothes are tighter than they had been. The clothing that you had been wearing, such as jeans and suits, no longer fits. Now you must wear clothing in larger sizes. You also may prefer to wear sweatpants rather than more flattering clothing. The other problem is that the original problem that caused you to eat has not gone away. It is still there.

One healthy way to deal with stress is to talk about it. Find a family member or trusted friend, and talk about what is bothering you. If you are worried about an upcoming test, for example, perhaps someone can help you study.

Another way of coping is to exercise. Find a form of exercise that you enjoy, such as roller-blading, running, or walking, and do it regularly. You will soon feel better, and the stress will be much less overwhelming.

A third way of dealing with stress is to find a hobby. What do you enjoy doing? Do you treasure hunt? If you walk through an area, such as a college campus, you would be very surprised by what you might find on the ground. You often find trash, of course, such as broken glass or crumpled paper, but you may find coins, rings, or cash. Treasure hunting is one example of a hobby that will get you outside and away from the refrigerator. It will also give you something else to think about besides food. That way, when you are restless or stressed out, instead of thinking about eating, you can train yourself to think, "I wonder what might be out there now?" Then you can take a walk to go see what you will find. By doing this, you will accomplish three things: you will satisfy your curiosity, learn to resist the urge to eat when you get bored or stressed out, and get some exercise and fresh air.

By finding healthy ways of dealing with stress, you will feel better. You will be happier, more energetic, and more fun to be around.