Stress can Lead to Weight Gain

Stress and weight gain are directly related. The main reason behind this is cortisol, which is a stress hormone released by the body.  When a person is under stress, the 'fight or flight’ response is set off which leads to changes in blood flow and metabolism. If a person experiences chronic stress, these repeated changes can take a toll on one’s health and also lead to weight gain.

How Stress Contributes to Weight Gain

Let us take a closer look at how stress can contribute to weight gain.

1.When you are under stress, eating the same amount of food will cause more weight gain. This is because, when you are under stress, your body releases cortisol. Too much of cortisol slows down your body’s metabolic rate, resulting in weight gain.

2.When you experience chronic stress, you will feel a craving for more sugary, salty and fatty foods. These foods generally include processed foods and sweets, both of which are unhealthy and among the major causes of weight gain.

3.Prolonged stress also affects where the fat will be stored in the body. High stress levels are associated with more of fat being stored in the abdominal area. Abdominal fat, apart from being undesirable aesthetically, can also lead to greater health risks.

4.Increased levels of cortisol in the body, apart from slowing down your metabolic rate, also leads to emotional eating. So, you end up binging and putting on more weight.

Stress Management for Weight Loss

As we can see, excessive stress can lead to weight gain, so managing stress efficiently is necessary for weight loss. Here are some simple tips:

1.Start exercising. Studies have shown that exercise reduces stress and lowers the level of cortisol in the body. A study at the University of Missouri Columbia has revealed that high intensity exercises such as running is more effective in lowering anxiety and stress than low intensity workouts.

2.Learn to relax. A tense body and an overactive mind are the ideal condition for cortisol production. Meditation and deep breathing are effective ways to calm your mind and relieve anxiety.

Just keep these tips in mind to optimize your < ahref="http://gngh.com ">weigh loss effort by reducing stress effectively.

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