Stress is like that unexpected guest who barges into your life uninvited, overstays
their welcome, and often brings a lot of emotional baggage. But did you know that
stress can also bring along some physical baggage, in the form of extra pounds?
Let’s talk about how stress hormones can sneakily encourage your body to put on
weight and stubbornly hang on to it, like that clingy friend you can’t shake off.
Meet the Stress Hormones: Cortisol and Adrenaline
Alright, let’s get acquainted with these little troublemakers: cortisol and adrenaline.
They’re like the dynamic duo of stress hormones, and they’re responsible for all the
drama in your body when stress comes knocking.
Cortisol: This one’s the superstar of stress hormones. It’s produced by your adrenal
glands, those little kidney toppers. Cortisol is like the ringmaster, orchestrating your
body’s stress response. When you’re stressed, it rushes into your bloodstream,
ready to call the shots.
Adrenaline (Epinephrine): Adrenaline is the sidekick, the Robin to cortisol’s
Batman. It’s the one that gives you that heart-pounding, butterflies-in-your-stomach
feeling when you’re stressed. Adrenaline is all about the immediate reaction, getting
you ready to fight or flee.
Survival Mode in a Modern World
These stress hormones were born in the caveman days when our biggest stressors
were things like running from a saber-toothed tiger. Fast forward to today, and our
stressors are more likely to be work deadlines, traffic jams, and surprise bills. But
guess what? Your body still thinks it’s running from that tiger, and it reacts
accordingly. The blood rushes to your arms and legs so that you can run or fight.
Digestion and reproduction are developers down as they are not needed for the fight.
The blood flows out of the frontal cortex part of your brain – the thinking part – as
you do not need to think, just react. You might have experienced this when you are
put on the spot and you cannot think of a good reply, or remember some important
detail, but an hour later you can.
The Sneaky Link Between Stress Hormones and Weight Gain
So, how exactly do these stress hormones make you gain weight? Let’s spill the
Beans:
- Bigger Appetite: Cortisol has a peculiar way of making you hungrier, especially
for those not-so-healthy comfort foods. It’s like your body’s way of stocking up for a
long journey. Unfortunately, those extra snacks often lead to extra pounds.
- Fat Storage Fanatic: Cortisol is also a fan of packing on the pounds in the form of
fat. It loves to stash fat around your belly, where it’s not only annoying but also a
health risk. - Slow Metabolism: Chronic stress can slow down your metabolism, and affects
- digestion, which means your body burns fewer calories even when you’re just chilling
on the couch. ( You don’t need to eat if you are running for your life).That’s not great
news if you’re trying to shed some pounds. - Cravings for the Naughty Stuff: Stress hormones have a thing for sugary and
fatty foods. They can make you crave that litre of ice cream or those cheesy fries,
which are packed with calories. Your body is storing fat fearing a famine! - Emotional Eating: Ever had a bad day and turned to a tub of ice cream for
comfort? That’s emotional eating, and stress hormones are often the culprit behind
those emotional food binges. What foods do you turn to when you have had a bad
Day? - Insulin Hiccups: Chronic stress can mess with your insulin response, making
your blood sugar levels wonky and leading to more fat storage. We are going to talk
more about blood sugar levels and insulin in the next blog post as this is valuable to
understand the interplay between stress, food, blood sugar levels and storing fat on
your body. - Sleep Sabotage: Stress hormones can seriously disrupt your sleep patterns. Poor
sleep is like a VIP pass to weight gain and obesity because it messes with the
hormones that control your appetite and hunger. I have always thought that I was
somehow different and don’t need as much sleep as others, but I was just fooling
myself. I don’t need the 9 hours, but I do need more than 7. Due to my large family,
study and work I did not prioritise sleep and it is showing up now.
Breaking Free from Stress-Induced Weight Gain
Now that you know how stress hormones sneakily encourage weight gain, let’s chat
about how to kick them to the curb:
- Stress Management: Find ways to dial down your stress levels. It could be
through deep breathing, meditation, yoga, EFT – Tapping, and simply taking time for
yourself to relax and unwind. - Get Moving: Exercise is your secret weapon against stress and its weighty side
effects. Aim for a workout routine that gets your heart pumping and your spirits
soaring. A combination of activities keeps the fun level and motivation high. But it is
also important to do strength training as muscles reduce blood sugar levels, which
keeps diabetes at bay. - Mindful Munching: Pay attention to what you eat and why. Are you eating
because you’re hungry, or is it because you’re stressed? Mindful eating helps you
make healthier choices. It can be so hard to pay attention before you put food into
your mouth, but it is a major key to weight loss. - Balanced Diet: Skip the sugary and fatty comfort foods. Opt for a balanced diet
with lots of fruits, veggies, and protein. - Prioritize Sleep: Make sleep a priority. Create a bedtime routine, ditch the
screens before sleep, and aim for those 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
- Reach Out: Don’t be shy about seeking help. If stress is overwhelming you,
talking to a friend, family member, or therapist who specialises in EFT can be a
Game-changer. - Use EFT: This tool has been shown to reduce cortisol levels and has a major
impact or helping to cope with the stressful life issues.
Book here if you would like to discuss how I can help reduce your stress.
In Conclusion: Your Journey to Stress-Free Living
Stress hormones and weight gain might seem like an unfair partnership, but you’ve
got the power to change the script. By managing stress through a healthier lifestyle,
mindfulness, and self-care, you can take control of your body’s response.
Remember, it’s not just about looking good; It’s about feeling good and living a
longer, happier life. So, take a deep breath, relax, and let go of those extra pounds
along with the stress. You’ve got this!