Living in a state of fight or flight can eventually take a toll on your body—making you more prone to heart disease, high blood pressure, depression,… And you will be surprised to know that stress can cause weight gain!

You’ve got deadlines at work, family drama at home, and a to-do list the length of your arm. Living in a state of fight or flight can eventually take a toll on your body—making you more prone to heart disease, high blood pressure, depression,… And you will be surprised to know that stress can cause weight gain! Here are five ways fretting causes fat to creep on, along with stress-busting strategies to help restore your inner calm.  

1. You have an anxious appetite

When you feel anxious, your body is flooded with cortisol – google image

When you feel anxious, your body is flooded with cortisol. This “stress” hormone may have helped you survive a predator in the past, but too much of it in modern times can lead to weight gain. It can switch off insulin production, disrupt your metabolism, mess with the hormones that regulate your appetite—and make you really hungry! 

2. Eating “accessible” or fast food

Are you reaching for a giant snowflake-shaped cookie? If only stress made you want to dive into a big bowl of leafy greens! That cortisol surging through your body makes you crave high calorie foods, and when you eat them, the “feel good” hormone dopamine makes you feel better. Unfortunately, sugary and fatty foods don’t make your troubles disappear. They may soothe you for the few seconds, but your worries will remain, now accompanied by guilt.

3. Sleeping less

Many people report trouble sleeping when they’re stressed – google image

Many people report trouble sleeping when they’re stressed. And research has linked sleep deprivation to a slower metabolism. Feeling overtired can also reduce willpower and contribute to unhealthy eating habits.

4. Exercising less

 With all the demands on your schedule, exercising may be one of the last things on your to-do list. If so, you’re not alone. A long commute and hours spent sitting behind a desk can leave little opportunity for physical activity.

5.You’re blowing off steam with booze

Alcohol may ease tensions while you’re drinking it, but going overboard contributes to weight gain. Alcohol negatively affects your sleep, makes you more likely to eat more, and store more calories. Plus, a sore head the next day is not going to make it any easier to wrestle your way through the holiday shopping crowds.

Finding time for self care during one of the busiest times of year isn’t easy, but it’s important. Here are a few healthy ways to prevent your anxieties from piling on the pounds.

Tips to get rid of stress and weight gain

Allow yourself time to slow down and take deep breaths – google image

Boost your feel-good hormones (in a healthy way): Listen to music you love. Exercise for endorphins. Spend time with a friend who makes you laugh. Bundle up and go for a walk outside, noticing the beauty of nature.

Take time to relax: Allow yourself time to slow down and take deep breaths—even for a couple of minutes each day. Increasing oxygen to your brain helps to calm you down.

Prioritize sleep: Set a bedtime reminder that will allow you to get at least 7 hours of sleep and stick to it! Steer clear of screens for an hour before bed—try curling up with a feel-good novel and a cup of chamomile tea, instead.

Choose food wisely: If it’s too hard to resist the treats in your pantry, avoid buying them. Keep your diet mostly healthy and don’t miss out on mood-boosting nutrients like B vitamins and omega-3’s.

Savor treats mindfully: When you do decide to indulge in a sweet treat or glass of wine, be in control of the situation, rather than letting your emotions control your eating. Savor a small serving slowly, without guilt, and move on to healthier foods the next time you eat.

Source: fitbit, webmd

READ MORE

• HOW TO STOP STRESS EATING OR EATING WHEN YOU’RE BORED?
• HEALTHY HABITS THAT CAN FUEL INFLAMMATION
• HOW TO EAT COMFORT FOODS AND STILL LOSE WEIGHT