Yes, really!
There are a number of reasons for this. Basically, the main reason is that too much stress can cause some of the hormones and chemicals in our body to get a bit out of sync. One of these hormones is cortisol, and raised levels can make you feel hungrier as well as making you more likely to store extra fat, especially around your middle.
As well as this, other appetite-controlling chemicals such as ghrelin and leptin are also affected by high stress levels, especially when this causes us to have trouble sleeping. Insomnia has been found in many studies to be linked to difficulty in losing weight and feeling tired from lack of sleep can also lead to a craving for the quick energy boost that high carbohydrate foods can provide.
Feeling stressed also makes us more likely to turn to food for comfort, especially food that we see as nurturing such as chocolate and other high-calorie and carbohydrate-rich foods that temporarily boost our feel-good hormones.
It all sounds pretty grim, but the answer is reasonably simple: reduce stress. This doesn't have to mean signing up for intensive yoga classes or making major lifestyle changes as little changes can soon add up. Maybe a brisk 10 minute walk on your lunch break might help you relax, or a hot bath before bedtime. I have recently discovered colouring books for adults, and I find that very calming as well. And if you need an excuse for some pampering, this could be it! My trip to the spa yesterday definitely helped me feel more relaxed and also improved my sleep. You could even do something similar on a budget at home, maybe giving yourself a facial or a manicure, or simply soaking your feet in warm water and lavender oil while you close your eyes and focus on your weight loss goals.
Please add your ideas for relaxation in the comments section below and help us all benefit!
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