Why Stress Makes Us Gain Weight
by
, 28-03-2012 at 11:24
(1614 Views)
What mum isn't stressed most of the time? Motherhood brings a whole new range of worries and stresses to our lives and speaking from my own experience I do get stressed most days about something!
I do try and not sweat the small stuff and I try and keep as calm and relaxed about everything as I can but as my life is pretty hectic I have accepted that it is inevitable that I will get stressed by something in the day!
So why is stress bad for us? Well apart from the fact that stress can impact our health in a variety of ways (including being attributed to causing some types of cancer) it can have an extremely negative effect on our weight - especially around the tummy area where high levels of cortisol in the body cause fat to be stored in the abdominal area.
The reason it can hinder weight loss and cause weight gain is because of the hormone cortisol which is released into our body when we are put under mental, emotional or physical stress. And when we have too much cortisol in our body (i.e. if we are constantly stressed during the day - uhhhh YES if you have children!) then we end up reaching for fatty or sugary foods which is due to the excess cortisol in the body which increases cravings due to the two neuro transmitters in the brain serotonin and neuropeptite.
So how can we get the cortisol levels down when we stress? I find that taking ten big and deep breaths really helps me get back into control and research shows that doing yoga exercises can have a significant impact on stress levels. I also find a change of scenery when I become stressed does wonders for me and I always try and put things into perspective - which is admittedly easier said then done at times!
This article was written by Rhian Allen, Founder of Lose Baby Weight. For more recipes, motivation, advice and exercise plans visit http://www.losebabyweight.com.au and for daily tips join the Lose Baby Weight Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/losebabyweight.com.au
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