Now, what do many people turn to for consolation when they’re stressed? Research shows they chase “feel good chemicals,” of course, through food, alcohol, video games, television, shopping, and so forth.15 Ironically, the same people using these strategies also rate them as ineffective for reducing stress levels, and research shows that certain activities like watching TV and drinking alcohol can increase, not decrease, stress.16 Indulging often just leads to guilt, followed by more indulging, followed by more guilt, and so it goes.
