How Does Stress Contribute to Weight Gain?

Stress has been linked to sleep loss and comfort eating, two critical contributors to our national obesity epidemic.

It’s simple to blame the regular stresses, yet stress can take various forms and be triggered by even minor disruptions to our already frenetic routines. Here are some tried-and-true methods for handling the strains of ordinary life.

Get your day planned out. Take some time each morning to reflect on the day ahead and list the most important things to get done. This will help you prioritize your work and keep from feeling overwhelmed. A peaceful planning hour can provide twice as much output as a chaotic two hours. Stress levels will rise as noise and turmoil reduce productivity.

Delegate. People like me who micromanage (or take on too much work) are more prone to feel overwhelmed and stressed. Master the art of letting go and stopping trying to control everything. More can be accomplished with thoughtful delegation and teamwork, and it’s not a sign of weakness to acknowledge that you can’t handle it all alone.

Method of work. Getting one task out of the way is best before moving on to the next. Trying to multitask’s counterproductive and stressful, so don’t even bother. It’s not uncommon for the completion of one goal to necessitate the abandonment of a secondary one.

Relax for a while. Permit yourself to “turn off.” You may get your day in order, make plans for the rest of it, and gain perspective on what has transpired so far with the help of a brisk walk. The mental and emotional benefits of reading or participating in cultural activities are well-documented.

Clean up your space every spring. If your home is more of a cause of stress than a place of refuge, set aside 15 minutes a day to clean it up and enlist the help of your loved ones. The typical suspects are worried about money and housework; thus, the adage “a tidy house means a tidy mind” probably has some merit. Having a frequent clean-out of unwanted objects can help clear your thoughts, so it makes sense to de-clutter your home regularly. Having a place for everything can alleviate the tension from never knowing where something is.

Put in some quality time with loved ones. Keeping in touch with loved ones daily is a great way to find solutions to issues. An excellent method of relieving tension is talking things out with friends. Stress and melancholy can set in when people are isolated and lonely.

Exercise. The “feelgood” chemicals released in the brain during exercise maintain energy levels and defend the body against stress, making exercise a great preventative measure and an excellent stress buster. If you can, get outside and walk whenever you can; the natural light and fresh air will do wonders for your mood and energy levels. It’s beneficial to spend as much time as possible talking to and confiding in other people, especially those close to you, including when exercising.

Take some time off for yourself. Go to a spa or just run a hot bath and add some of your favorite essential oils to relax and pamper yourself. Tension can be relieved in several ways, including meditation and getting a professional massage. Your anxiety levels will naturally decrease as a result of this.

CELEBRATE YOUR BODY. Stress is a high-energy user and deprives your skin of vital nutrients, so if its quality decreases, you know your stress levels are high. Low energy levels are again linked to stress, which can contribute to chronic fatigue. It is also essential to recognize the symptoms of stress and take action before they get too severe.

Pause for five minutes to gather your composure. It’s as easy as pausing for four or five deep breaths with your abdominal muscles for a few seconds. If you practice taking deep breaths as stress levels rise, your body will eventually respond by doing so automatically.

Sleep. A crucial component of the health of our bodies. Lack of sleep is a significant contributor to weight gain, and sleep deprivation is often the result of stress. Work should be avoided at least two hours before bedtime because it stimulates the brain and makes falling asleep more difficult. Don’t eat too close to bedtime, as this disrupts your natural rhythm. Get your recommended nightly sleep of eight hours and wake up feeling revitalized.

READ THIS and RE-evaluate Your Diet. Feeding our bodies the proper meals helps our minds deal with stressful situations more effectively. Concentration issues, exhaustion, and negative emotions are just some of the side effects of insufficient vitamins and minerals. Consume at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily; the antioxidants and vitamin C in these foods can help mitigate the adverse effects of stress.

B vitamins, to be precise. Despite what many believe, red meat is excellent for increasing because it increases oxygen circulation throughout the body.

Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates, the primary target of dieters’ ire, are the body’s preferred fuel source. If you want to stay healthy, you need to fuel your brain. Though they cause your brain to produce feel-good neurotransmitters, meat and protein items coupled with carbohydrates should be avoided.

Water. Caffeine, nicotine, and other stimulants in alcoholic beverages and caffeinated drinks raise rather than decrease stress. You should consume eight glasses of water daily for optimal health and increased vitality. Keep in mind the importance of staying hydrated when working out.

Enjoyment. Last, there is more to life than just making a living, having kids, and maintaining a healthy weight. Get back into a yoga class if that used to be your thing; it doesn’t have to take up too much of your time, but it will help you reconnect with who you are and what you enjoy. See a movie; hide away with your CD collection or favorite book if you like music or reading. The key to a healthy work-life balance is prioritizing leisure time. If you want to avoid asking yourself, “What have I done with my life?” avoid this one trap.

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linda