How eliminating stress from your life can mean weight loss
You may be aware that stress can have serious effects on your physical health. Stress is often blamed for high blood pressure and heart related illnesses. There are also many interesting connections between stress and weight loss.
What is interesting is that the immediate response of the body to stress is to have a temporary loss of appetite. Something some may consider to be a good thing for those who are trying to loose weight. However, this temporary loss of appetite is just that, temporary. Chronic stress or stress that persists and is uncontrolled is related to an increase in appetite and what is referred to as stress-induced weight gain.
|
|
This is how it works. In a short term stressful situation the body experiences an adrenaline rush that temporarily burns fat. However, if the stress is long-term a hormone in the body called cortisol is increased sending a signal to the body to store excess fat. This fat just happens to be stored mostly in the abdominal and hip area.
In addition to the weight benefits of stress reduction there are many additional health benefits as well such as reduced blood pressure, not to mention an increased sense of wellness and mental health. So what are some ways to improve the way that you manage stress (or eliminate it) so that you can loose some of that extra weight? Below are some suggestions:
- Do not starve yourself. You need to eat at least 4-6 small meals a day in order to maintain proper sugar, vitamin and mineral levels in the body. Proper physical balance means that you are able to feel good during the day which makes it easier to handle stressful situations.
- Drink your water. Drinking at least 6-8 glasses of water each day (the heavier you are the more you need to be drinking) will help to flush the toxins out of your system and make you feel less run down.
- Exercising is a great way to reduce stress and loose weight. Exercising for at least 20-30 minutes 3-5 times a week will do more to eliminate stress and promote weight loss than many things. Make sure that you are exercising by doing something that you enjoy. Having fun while you are exercising is important to making the experience stress free.
- Avoid drinking soft drinks, energy drinks and coffee as they will give you a false sense of energy at first but then as your sugar levels come down you will experience an extreme sugar low or sugar shock. Also avoid alcohol, which also has an impact on the sugar levels in your body.
- When you are tired you feel hungrier. Make sure that you get a good night's sleep and take breaks during a busy day to unwind and relax. A well rested mind and body are good for both stress and your diet.
- Seek out activities that will help you to relax, such as yoga, Pilates, or some other form of meditation. Have a plan for what you can do to cope with a stressful situation.
- Do not fall for claims that crash diets can help you to loose weight in a ridiculously short period of time. In reality, crash diets increase stress and can therefore do more harm than good.
- Stay as active as possible. The less time you spend lounging at home watching television or playing video games, the more successful you will be at your weight loss program.
- Have a snack. Having a snack during the day can help control your blood sugar and your hunger. When you do not feel hungry, you are better able to cope with everyday situations, including managing your stress. Choose healthy snaking options such as whole-grain crackers, oatmeal, fruit, or carrot sticks in order to stay true to your diet and weight loss goals.
