In today’s high-paced world, stress and its triggers are everywhere. Common triggers for stress include relationships, financial pressure, work stress, and many others – and this can be a problem if you’re on a weight loss plan. Stress can cause one to lose focus on their ultimate goal, and chemical responses to stress in the body can actually stop weight loss. How does stress influence your weight level?

What Stress Is

Stress, and the chemical reactions to it, are byproducts of our prehistoric days. Adrenal responses during high-stress situations trigger the “fight or flight” mode that kept our ancestors from getting eaten by tigers. This is the exact same reaction we encounter today, however, our stress sources these days tend to be less deadly than tigers. The adrenal responses to stress today could be responsible for a loss of muscle mass, increased fat storage, and increased urges to overeat.

Cortisol Release

In addition, chronic stress triggers a release of cortisol in our bodies, which can make weight loss more difficult. High levels of this hormone eat away at muscle mass, which slows metabolism. In addition, excessive production of cortisol is one trigger that leads to an increase of appetite – and an increase in appetite combined with a decrease of metabolism is a poor combination. The unwanted release of cortisol leads to our bodies storing up excess fat in the abdominal area for later use.

How to Prevent Stress

Completely preventing stress might be an impossible task, but there are ways to manage it and eliminate small moments of tension effectively and promote your wellbeing. Identifying stress triggers is a great first step as it will allow you to discover what about these situations makes them so stressful and come up with a solution to overcome them. For example, if work is a major stressor in your life, you might be able to take a few minutes every day to practice some breathing exercises or meditate.

Daily exercise routines are also a great way to reduce the effects of stress on your weight level. Exercise has been shown to reduce depression levels and help promote better sleep health – these are both key factors for reducing unneeded cortisol release, and, by extension, weight gain.

Contact Pria Wellness Center for Lasting Weight Loss Results

For a weight loss solution with real, long-lasting results, contact Pria Wellness Center. We will comprehensively assess your current physical condition and make recommendations based on your body’s unique needs. Dr. Fernandez is board certified in obesity medicine and weight management, so you can trust that you are being taken care of by a qualified specialist. And we take a holistic approach to weight loss, working with dieticians, psychologists, personal trainers, and physicians to ensure that all of your needs are met and you keep the weight off for good. What do you have to lose except extra weight? Schedule a consultation online by clicking here, or contact the office at (410) 565-6552.

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