Stress is an inevitable and common part of daily life, and it can come from small inconveniences to major life events. Some stress can be healthy; your stress response lets you be alert and deal with urgent issues. However, if this stress lasts longer than it should, it can take a toll on you. Your mental state is often what you seek to take care of when it comes to stress, but your physical wellness—particularly weight—is also impacted by stress.
Many turn to relaxing activities to help manage stress and return to normal. Not only can calming habits soothe the mind, but they also help you manage your weight by keeping stress in check.
Here’s how stress impacts your weight and how you can de-stress to weigh less:
How does stress impact weight?
When you’re stressed, your body produces the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol allows your body to utilize energy in stressful situations and is essential for daily functioning. However, cortisol also increases hunger, and you tend to crave sweet or carbohydrate-rich foods that bring comfort. Constant stress can lead to binge eating, making you gain weight.
Since stress plays a role in weight gain, addressing eating habits and managing stress is just as important as eating a nutritious diet or exercising. As such, obesity treatments and wellness interventions have made stress management a part of pursuing holistic health and a healthy means to lose weight. These programs go beyond the surface level of weight loss and dig deeper into eating patterns so you can change them for good. Knowing how stress impacts how and what you eat can help you lose weight by creating the right health habits, including de-stressing ones.
Here are some calming habits that can aid you in your weight loss journey:
Meditation
Your situation or environment can overwhelm your mind and senses, causing you to stress out. Meditation can help you stay grounded and calm, allowing you to think clearly and stay alert without aggravating your stress response and weight.
Mindfulness meditation, in particular, is an easy way to get started, and you can do it anywhere and in any way you choose. Start by breathing and focus on the sensations of each inhale and exhale while staying aware of your surroundings. You can do this every morning before starting your day or even as a way to reduce stress in the workplace. It’s simple, versatile, and keeps you relaxed to help you manage your stress and weight.
Reach out to others
Reaching out to and socializing with your community can be a great way to de-stress and beat loneliness. Being able to release any pent-up feelings and have loved ones comfort you or offer advice can be healing. This community doesn’t have to be limited to friends and family, either; sharing your thoughts with a like-minded group of people can let you know you aren’t alone. A healthy weight loss program can connect you to people who are on a similar weight loss journey as you, allowing you to stay motivated and accountable to make your goals a reality. Along with tailored plans that offer guidance with diet, exercise, and stress management, these programs help find you the best guidance and support through workshops and online communities. If your weight loss journey is what’s causing you stress, you can reach out to someone who will understand and help you address your worries in a healthy manner.
Drink tea
The warmth a cup of tea brings is comforting and satisfying, which is why it’s the top choice for calming the nerves. Tea contains both caffeine and the amino acid L-theanine, creating a unique combination that promotes mindful alertness.
Drinking tea can help lower your cortisol levels and prevent it from affecting your weight. Some teas are also beneficial for weight loss. Some of the best teas for weight loss are green tea and oolong tea, which both improve how your body metabolizes fat and enhance weight loss.
Journaling
Bottling up your worries can make tackling the stress that comes with them harder. Journaling can help you healthily channel your emotions and stressors, allowing you to feel catharsis from releasing these concerns.
When you’re stressed, you can pull out a notebook and jot down any thoughts and feelings about the situation. It’s also a great way to track your progress and see your growth in your weight loss journey. Journaling can help you release tension and stress while boosting appreciation for yourself and your growth.
For more on pursuing a mindfulness-infused life, visit the homepage to learn more about mindfulness practices.
