Stress is a mental and emotional pressure which people fail to cope up. For most of us, stress is a fact of life. Unfortunately, research reveals that it's also a fact of fat.
During the time of stress, there are some psychological changes in our bodies, one of which is weight gain. It may not happen overnight, but our carelessness towards our body's needs may put on weight.
Stress leads to weight gain
Actually, stress boosts up our hunger because of the less appetite and made us overeater.
Source: Cancer Network
1. Fight and Flight
When our body reaches a certain stress level, it does what it feels and in most of the cases, overeating takes place because of stress hormone.
It hangs around and starts signaling the body to replenish food supply.
2. Anxiety
Adrenaline is the reason for the “wired up” feeling we get when we’re stressed.
Source: Lady care
Anxiety can also trigger "emotional eating" as it makes you eat mindlessly.
3. Less Sleep
In stress, most of us didn't sleep at night which disrupt the functioning of ghrelin and leptin chemicals that control appetite.
Those with sleep deprivation lost substantially less weight as compare to those who didn't.
4. Cortisol and Comfort Food
Cortisol is a level hormones which arose during the tension-filled times and turned our overeating into habits.
Lingering Effects of Weight Gain
Weight gain can't come alone it brings some major health issues.
Source: Healthline
Some of them are;
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
Tips to fight back
1. Exercise
Exercise is the best idea for weight loss but doesn't over do it because high intensity works out can raise cortisol levels. Try aerobics and brisk walk.
2. Meditation
Mindful breathing exercise is always considered useful like yoga and Tai chi as it makes the mind clear and curbs those comfort-food impulses.
3. Social support
People care is more efficient than any medicine. It always feels good to have company.
You could also;
- Read
- Pray
- Write in a Journal
- Plenty of sleep
Metformin helps to cause weight loss
Metformin is a kind of drug prescribed to manage blood sugar level in people with type 2 diabetes. However, it is believed to help in weight loss too.
Source: Health line
The study shows, it may reduce your appetite which prompts you to eat less. It may also change the way your body uses and stores fat. It seems likely to burn calories.
The amount of weight loss also varies from person to person but many of people take metformin as a magic diet pill but it isn't a quick fix solution.
Doctors suggest metformin to those patients who are suffering from diabetes, not to everyone.
We all struggle with stress once in a while but it's up to us how we charge it and resisting the urge to overeat is a great start.