Whether it’s a child or a teenager or a new adult or simply anyone, stress is a common factor that will affect every human being irrespective of age or gender. Each of us have a hormone called cortisol that is responsible for stress factor. When there is an increase in cortisol, we will eventually experience stress and weight gain. Yes, you heard it. There is a serious connection between stress and weight gain, that a lot of people fail to notice.
Did you know that according to American Psychological Association, a study found that almost 3 out of 4 people experience stress? Imagine the amount of cortisol release they’re experiencing that it leads to binge-eating, sleeplessness and other factors, that right away increase one’s weight? This is why, we need to understad the underlying cause of weight gain and immediately cut off the stress symtoms to keep our body healthy.
Below, we will discuss how exactly stress-related weight gain works and what we can do about it.
Stress and Weight Gain: What’s the Connection?
As we previously saw about cortisol, it is the number one reason why your body tends to put on weight. Cortisol is created with the help of adrenal glands that are situated in the kidneys. When cortisol is high in number, it makes our body to pause certain necessary functions leading metabolism to slow down. While cortisol aren’t necessarily bad, it can become dangerous if it is produced in high amount.
This stress hormone will stimulate the fat that further creates a rush of energy in one’s body. It is true that the surge of energy is important but it will push one’s appetite higher. Hence, the crave for food, especially oily and sweet food will be intense and let’s be honest, controlling those urges can become difficult especially when one is under stress and wants to pamper themselves. Additionally, cortisol also reduces testosterone count that further lowers the muscle mass and slows down the calorie burning function.
Since the metabolism is getting slowed down, the energy you get from cortisol will most likely lead due to either crave for food or tire you out. Either way, you will experience issues like,
- Weight gain
- Tireness
- Depression
- Anxiety
- High Blood Pressure
- Reproduction Issues
- Joint Pain
- Difficulty Breathing
- Weak Immune System
- Diabetes
- Lack of concentration
Most importantly, since fat gets stored mostly around the waist, it can lead to heart issues. This is why cortisol if produced in excess amount is a sinister to the body.
Also read: Dealing With Body Shaming? Here Are 5 Tips to Love Yourself More!
How to Fight Stress-related Weight Gain
We can’t eradicate stress entirely but with certain efforts, we surely can control its effects on our physical and mental health. First things first: we need to find the root cause of the stress. Think whether it is work, family issues, health conditions or any specific reason that’s causing you to stress over. Once that is figured, you need to accept the reality and embrace the situation.
You also need to realise that stress is a common factor and that you’re not alone. At such times when stress levels are high, it is okay to love yourself a little more and pamper with self-care or food. But, this shouldn’t be the case always.
What’s important is to practise certain tips that will help you control stress and not let stress overtake you and then cure it. Some methods through which you can take control of your stress hormone are,
- Exercising every day for 15 to 30 minutes
- Taking a walk outside in the nature
- Eating tasty and healthy food (there are plenty of unique recipes out there)
- Talking to a friend and sharing what’s bugging you
- Visiting a therapist if needed
- Practising Yoga
- Learning a new skill
- Camping or hiking with friends
- Avoid using phones at least 2 hours before bedtime
- Listening to peaceful music
- Reading a book
- Affirming yourself with kind and empowering words
- Deep meditation for 20 minutes
Final Thoughts
If you’re undergoing weight gain problems, remember to take things slow and reduce your weight in a healthy way. Note that the above mentioned tips will help you but it will take at least 3 to 4 months for you to see the difference. Do not give up on your process and never keep checking your body weight for it will only keep disappointing you. Eat healthily and if once in a while you want to eat something sweet, go ahead.
If you’re struggling to calm down during stressful events no matter how much you try then do seek a professional for they will help ypu to embrace yourself and provide further tips to handle your situation.
Remember, no matter how you look and who you are, you truly matter. You deserve all the happiness in the world and so, be kind to yourself and have a nice day!
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