April is National Stress Awareness Month, and at Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery, we dedicate this month to recognizing the impact that weight loss can have on mental well-being, especially stress management.
The mental challenges of stress affect physical health, including weight management. If you’re struggling to manage stress, incorporating effective stress management techniques into your daily routine will make all the difference for your health and your weight loss goals.
How Does Stress Affect Weight Loss?
First, let’s take a look at how stress affects your body and your weight. When we experience stress, our body releases the hormone cortisol, also known as the stress hormone. When levels of cortisol increase in our bodies, this triggers several responses that interfere with how we manage weight, including:-
- Increased Appetite: Increased cortisol “stimulates” our appetites, especially for food that is not very good for the body. In other words, stress makes us want to eat junk food that is high in calories, fat, and sugar, which can make it more difficult to stick with a healthy eating plan.
- Fat Storage: High cortisol levels caused by stress also promote fat storage around the belly, especially in women.
- Sleep Patterns: Stress will often disrupt healthy sleep patterns, which can negatively affect weight loss efforts. Without good quality rest, it is easier to gain weight, and it is more difficult to lose those extra pounds.
- Increased Fatigue: If stress is persistent, it can leave you feeling physically and mentally drained, which makes it difficult to find motivation for a regular exercise routine or maintain healthy habits.
