Training Your Brain: Comfort Foods | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Training Your Brain: Comfort Foods

A system for maximum comfort food gratification.

38
Training Your Brain: Comfort Foods
YouTube

I've worked at a grocery store for a year and a half. And as a person who's always had an interest in psychology, I've begun to read into the costumer's behaviors...as one does. I've noticed how costumers tend to treat people, react in certain situations, and yes, what food items they tend to purchase. I've noticed that some regular costumers are very predictable. When they approach my register with their basket of items, I can anticipate exactly what they're going to buy, and even how much it they usually purchase. Other costumers, the minority, I've noticed are more sporadic with their choices, buying vegetables one day and hoarding loads of snack foods the next. As odd as it may sound, I've picked up on a correlation between what costumers are buying and their moods. Some things are obvious. A costumer hosting a party buying endless platters of finger foods is typically anxious, stressed, and easily excitable, as one would expect. But I've found something more. I see an association with what specific costumers will buy based on even slight nuances in their moods. It had me thinking-do we all have comfort foods that are better for us based on our state of mind? There are the basics-a girl crying over a breakup needs ice cream and chocolate, someone hungover after a rough night needs greasy food, etc...But, I feel like there is something more individualized and possibly even neurological. I believe when we have comfort foods for particular moods or occurrences, we begin to make mental associations with the feeling and the food. Whether it happens consciously or subconsciously, our brain makes the connections. When you're sitting by a fire, even if you're burning up, do you not have the inclination to drink a warm cup of hot chocolate with little marshmallows? Don't lie, you do.

So, I've proposed a system for maximum comfort-food gratification. Useless? Possibly. Worth a try? Arguable. Here's the idea:

1. Choose yummy comfort food to eat while you're experiencing a difficult time.

2. If the difficulty subsides soon after for whatever reason, you will have a positive association with the food and should eat it the next time you encounter a similar difficulty. The positive association will remind you of your resilience and even help you recount how you got through the difficulty the last time.

3. If the difficulty at hand persists or gets worse, try a new comfort food the next time. You won't have the association caused by the previous issue and instead you'll have a new one.

I don't think that eating some good food can solve all your problems, as much as I wish it could. However, I believe there's a power within our minds that affects more minor details in our lives than we initially perceive. Think about it like alcohol. When someone drinks to rejoice and celebrate, they can develop a healthier relationship with alcohol. When one drinks to forget or numb pain, the relationship is not so good. While food is not a state-altering substance, mental associations exist just the same. Many would argue that some foods claiming to be "brain foods", don't really improve performance much at all, but if someone has an association of doing well on a test and eating a certain food, their mind just may subconsciously push them to do their best. Training your mind is key, and this is one minimal place to try it out. That snack you eat for "good luck" may actually be helping your mind!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

198173
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

19621
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

461458
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28630
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments