In the current world, it appears as if stress has become a part of our daily lives. The Covid – 19 pandemic was a huge stressor to many families and businesses, and things are now slowly resuming normality. Stress is detrimental to our health, and can lead to chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Cortisol is one of the main hormones related to stress, and is produced by the adrenal gland. During stressful times the levels of cortisol rises which chronically contributes to overeating and weight gain. During this time, ghrelin which is a hunger hormone rises too, which in turn decreases leptin sensitivity to the brain meaning the brain will not recognize that one is full leading to overindulgence. A correlation between stress eating and obesity has been identified, the reason why most people tend to eat more during stressful times.
Stress can lead to a decrease in desire for activity, sedentary lifestyle thus weight gain. When considering weight loss, it is important to tackle this matter with a holistic approach. Numerous ways to help you lose weight have been mentioned in other sections of this blog.
The following are some tips to consider while on a weight loss regimen. Practicing relaxation techniques like yoga, massage, meditation and tai chi could be helpful. Additionally, participation in enjoyable activities like spending time with loved ones, surfing, reading, knitting among others is beneficial. Getting a good night sleep, healthy eating, avoiding alcohol and other illegal substances is recommended. Above all, seek professional help if you have tried to resolve it alone and failed. Once the stress is under control, optimum sleep is achieved and your weight loss goals will be coming to fruition.