Stress can make you fat
Friday 23 January 2009
Most of us experience some degree of stress in our lives. Fact.
Which unsurprisingly is bad news. We already know that too much stress is unhealthy. But now there’s growing evidence that tension also piles on the pounds….
Science informs us that stress is created by a combination of physical, mental and emotional factors and has a very specific biological impact, partly through inducing the release of a rather irritating hormone called Cortisol.
While this hormone should help us cope, studies have shown that it’s a trigger for comfort eating.
The release of Cortisol makes us less likely to want to eat healthily which can lower self-esteem and can ultimately result in a total disinterest in healthy living.
There is a cruel irony we’re afraid - the foods eaten as a result of stress can cause extra stress. Vicious circle springs to mind!
If you’ve been unsuccessful in achieving and maintaining weight loss in the past, it could, very easily, be ascribed to stress.
Knowing this however is the first step and means that you have a fantastic opportunity to make some positive changes. By reducing your stress levels you may just find that your weight loss pretty much takes care of itself!
Determine if you are actually stressed. Do you have any of the following stress-related symptoms?
*Interrupted sleep, insomnia, lethargy, depression, mood swings, low self-esteem, anxiety, heart palpitations, unusual eating patterns, food cravings, weight gain, indigestion, high blood pressure, irritable bowel, diarrhoea, headaches, skin problems, susceptibility to colds and infections, muscle tension, aches and pains, poor concentration, poor memory.
*Identify what causes you stress. Be assertive and proactive and make changes wherever you can.
*Have faith that reducing your stress will help you to achieve your weight management goals.
*Have a look at meditation and yoga techniques to help you achieve a feeling of calm and you’ll be on your way to a stress-free, diet-free life!
By Tasha Usefnia