Mamaearth's Ghazal Alagh shares how stress-eating is her coping mechanism: 'Not something to feel guilty'

Ghazal Alagh outlined three strategies to improve her response to stress.

After a demanding day at work, many individuals seek comfort in familiar routines, whether that’s watching their favourite show, taking a nap, or indulging in a comforting meal. For MamaEarth co-founder Ghazal Alagh, it was the craving for truffle cake that became her go-to after a tiring day, despite not usually being a fan of desserts.

In a recent social media post, Alagh candidly shared her experience of dealing with work stress. She reflected on how the brain tends to revert to familiar routines as a way of conserving mental energy during stressful times. Alagh emphasised that this realisation allowed her to see her cravings as a natural coping mechanism, rather than something to feel guilty about.

"Yesterday, an exhausting work day made me crave truffle cake, even though I am not really fond of desserts. However, I realized that this is the kind of craving I usually get whenever I am feeling stressed," Alagh wrote.

"Often, when dealing with stress, our brain gets back to familiar routines to save mental energy. And this information has made me see these habits as my brain’s way of coping, not something to feel guilty about," she added.

She outlined three strategies to improve her response to stress. The first was recognising her stress triggers, which she identified as a key step in managing her mental well-being. Second, she expressed a desire to create new, healthier routines to help replace older habits. Lastly, she aimed to incorporate mindfulness into her daily life.

Yesterday, an exhausting work day made me crave truffle cake, even though I am not really fond of desserts. However, I realized that this is the kind of craving I usually get whenever I am feeling stressed.Often, when dealing with stress, our brain gets back to familiar pic.twitter.com/bnU1xw3C5f
Ghazal Alagh (@GhazalAlagh) September 12, 2024

The post quickly gained attention online generating numerous likes and comments from her followers. One user commented, “You have a natural talent for capturing precious moments. Keep sharing your art! Your beauty transcends time, like a classic work of art. Your confidence is inspiring. Never doubt your worth!"

Another commenter related to Alagh’s experience, saying, “This is very common for me too. On normal days, I have stopped adding sugar to tea and coffee or having any soda. But on some days, I sometimes crave sugary dessert or soda.”

Another user took a different approach, sharing that they avoid turning to food for relaxation: “Except eating, I do anything else like music, sitting under stars (if night), car detailing, gardening, etc.”