How Hustle Culture Fuels Binge Eating (and What You Can Do About It)

By Dr. Alexis Conason | Clinical Psychologist & Author of The Diet-Free Revolution

Many of us are taught that success means doing more, pushing harder, and ignoring our needs in the name of productivity. But what happens when that non-stop hustle starts showing up in our relationship with food?

As a clinical psychologist who specializes in mindful eating and eating disorder recovery, I see a powerful—and often overlooked—connection between hustle culture, burnout, and binge eating. Let’s unpack it.

Binge Eating Isn’t About Willpower

If you’ve ever found yourself mindlessly eating late at night—especially after a long, exhausting day—you’re not alone.

You may have spent the day ignoring your hunger cues, multitasking through meals, or telling yourself, “I’ll eat later.” But by the time you finally stop working or caretaking, your body is desperately seeking nourishment, pleasure, or just a moment of calm.

Binge eating often has little to do with “lack of control” and everything to do with unmet needs.

Why Hustle Culture Sets Us Up to Binge

We live in a society that glorifies overwork and self-denial. From “no days off” fitness slogans to skipping lunch to be more productive, we’re praised for ignoring our bodies in the name of success.

But this comes at a cost.

When we push past hunger all day, restrict foods we enjoy, or sacrifice rest, our bodies will find a way to get what they need—often at night, when we finally slow down. That’s when binge eating can occur: as a physical response to deprivation, and an emotional response to burnout.

Pseudo Self-Care Isn’t Cutting It

When true rest and joy feel out of reach, we often turn to what I call pseudo self-care: things that look or feel like comfort, but don’t actually nourish us in a lasting way.

Examples of pseudo self-care include:

• Mindlessly snacking while doom-scrolling 
• Staying up late to finally have “me time” 
• Binge eating foods you don’t even enjoy or that don’t make you feel good 

These behaviors aren’t failures. They’re survival strategies in a system that teaches us to ignore our needs until we collapse.

It’s Not Just You—and It Doesn’t End with Age

This cycle isn’t just a phase or a personal flaw. The pressure to over-function and put ourselves last affects people of all ages and identities.

In fact, it can intensify over time—especially during life transitions like becoming a parent, launching a career, or entering retirement. If your self-worth is wrapped up in productivity or caregiving, it’s hard to feel okay simply being.

Real Self-Care Starts With Permission

Healing your relationship with food isn’t just about what happens when you’re eating. It’s also about how you structure your days, your values, and your energy.

To truly support yourself, ask:

• Am I eating regularly throughout the day? 
• Do I have outlets for stress, anger, or loneliness? 
• Do I have time that belongs just to me? 
• How often do I feel joy, rest, or satisfaction? 

We don’t binge because we’re broken—we binge because we’re burnt out. And no amount of food rules will solve what hustle culture has taken from us.

Ready to Reconnect With Your Body?

If this message resonates with you, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate this alone either.

Dr. Alexis Conason and Conason Psychological Services, offers:

• 🧍‍♀️ Individual therapy for eating disorders, body image, trauma, and burnout 
• 👥 Group support for body image and eating disorder recovery
• 🌿 Mindful eating coaching through The Anti-Diet Plan 
• 💼 Case consultation groups for professionals supporting clients in this work 

👉 Schedule a free 15-minute consult to see which support is right for you.

Want to Go Deeper?

Explore my book, The Diet-Free Revolution, where I dive into how to reclaim trust in your body and move beyond diet culture.