The question of what constitutes a healthy diet, takes up a huge amount of space in both scientific journals and the popular press. And perhaps it should. But what happens when analysis and self-judgement around eating behaviours takes up a disproportionate amount of our headspace? When planning and food preparation starts negatively impacting on our relationships and other important life areas?

The past week has seen a lot of media coverage for a study coming out of Sweden that has linked noise pollution (from traffic, aeroplanes etc) to increased waist size. This is interesting, but needs to be kept in perspective – eating patterns and physical activity levels naturally have a much bigger role to play in determining weight than traffic noise specifically. But when it comes to stress in general, I’m not so sure.