Introduction
Stress is the one thing that we all have in common and Weight Gain Due to Stress. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) 2017 Stress in America Survey, three out of every four Americans reported suffering at least one stress symptom in the previous month. Unfortunately, all of this added stress can lead to weight gain. Getting a handle on stress is a priority if you want to avoid stress-related weight gain, whether the additional weight is a result of overeating and unwise food choices or your body’s response to increased cortisol levels.
Overview of Cortisol Consumption?
The question of whether too much cortisol can promote weight gain is exactly the same as the question of whether too much stress can cause you to gain weight. In both circumstances, the answer is yes. Because cortisol, a natural stress hormone, regulates your metabolism, it’s critical to follow standard wellness advice to reduce it. You can ensure that you control your cortisol rather than the other way around by making time for relaxation, adjusting your food, and exercising. Now we are entering into the focused area of this discussion- how to control weight gain due to stress.
What is the impact of stress on your body?
Stress can have a dramatic effect on your body, even if you don’t realize it at first. However, other aspects of your body’s response to stress, such as weight increase, may take longer to observe. Stress causes your body to produce more cortisol, which prepares you to “fight or run,” according to Dr. Charlie Seltzer, a weight reduction physician. In response to a threat, cortisol, a stress hormone released by the adrenal glands, rises. Cortisol levels return to normal after you no longer perceive a threat. On the other hand, we must know how to stop losing weight from stress.
Stress affects your physical, mental, and emotional health in a variety of ways, from tight muscles and headaches to feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and out of control. In many circumstances, you will notice the consequences of stress almost immediately. [Quote]
What is Cortisol?
Cortisol is a hormone that your body produces naturally. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands on your kidneys and released when you are stressed. This causes your body to go into fight-or-flight mode, halting normal biological operations and reducing your metabolism. While this hormone is necessary for living, too much of it can be hazardous. However, if stress is constant, you may suffer an overabundance of cortisol, which Seltzer believes is a concern because cortisol is also a potent appetite stimulant. “This is why so many individuals seek comfort food when they are stressed,” he explains.
What are the dangers of stress and obesity?
More serious, long-term health-related repercussions might develop when stress peaks or becomes difficult to manage. Untreated chronic stress has been related to depression, high blood pressure, sleeplessness, heart disease, anxiety, and obesity.
Is Cortisol Leads to Weight Gain?
Cortisol boosts your energy levels by stimulating your fat and glucose metabolism. Eventually, it assists in weight gain due to stress. This technique, while necessary in emergency cases, also increases your hunger. Additionally, high cortisol levels might trigger sweet, fatty, and salty food cravings. This means you’re more likely to eat French fries and a milkshake than a healthy meal. Cortisol overabundance might also cause your body to create less testosterone. This can lead to a loss of muscle mass and a reduction in the number of calories your body burns.
Why Can This Slowdown Be Harmful?
Because your metabolism is in charge of transforming food into energy, any changes to the way it works could cause issues. These problems, according to the American Psychological Association, include:
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Reduced effectiveness of the immune system
- Health complications, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes
Furthermore, the weight gained as a result of a cortisol rise is frequently concentrated around the belly. The accumulation of fat around the waist has earned it the moniker “toxic fat,” as it is linked to the development of cardiovascular disease.
You may Start Reducing your Stress Right Now
At some point in our lives, we will all be affected by stress. Some people have it several times a day, while others only notice it when it starts to interfere with their everyday activities. Now take a look at how to control weight gain due to stress. There are various little measures you can take to relax when you’re worried, including:
- 20 to 30 minutes of exercise.
- Get outside and take in the scenery.
- Eat nutritious foods to keep your body healthy.
- build a strong social network (aka, phone a friend)
- Remove one task from your to-do list.
- Pause for a 10-minute execise session.
- Enlist the assistance of family.
- Meditating with mindfulness.
- A book to read.
- One hour sooner in bed.
- Be kind with yourself.
- Say “no” to one thing that could because you stress.
- Practise spending time with a pet.
- Get rid of the coffee and alcohol.
- 10 minutes of deep breathing.
How to Avoid Health Problems in the Future
Even if lowering your stress levels seems unattainable on some days, you can still manage the impacts of high cortisol levels. To begin, adopting relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing will help restore normal levels of this hormone production. You can also avoid storing excess empty calories by eating a diet rich in high-quality meals. Even if your body craves a quick fix, make an effort to eat largely entire, plant-based foods. Of course, making the decision to eat well isn’t always simple, but it’s well worth the effort. By keeping track of your diet, you can ensure that the calories you ingest are transformed into energy rather than fat and stoke.
Also Read: All about Weight Loss Tips at Home Remedies for Men and Women
The Closure
Finally, exercise is a fantastic technique to control stress hormones. Exercise, whether it’s a marathon, a daily walk with your family, or a trip to the gym, will help you maintain your lean body mass. This is especially crucial when cortisol levels are high for a long time.