Whether it's studies, work, or relationships, stress is unfortunately often a part of our lives. And if we don't manage it well, it can directly affect our productivity, our mood, and even our weight gain! Would you like to understand the why and how? We'll explain it to you, along with some tips to help you avoid potential weight gain after a stressful period !
Why and how does stress make you gain weight?
When you're stressed, your body releases several hormones to help you overcome danger. Adrenaline, the best known of these, uses a large portion of your energy to stimulate your senses. Cortisol, on the other hand, transforms your fat reserves into sugar to provide the energy your body needs. It's this hormone that allows you to redirect this energy to your leg muscles, for example, when you want to run fast to escape!
And what about weight gain after a period of stress ? We'll get to that! Here we've explained the mechanisms of short-term stress, which, once the stressful situation has passed, stop. However, over the longer term, your body starts to produce more cortisol and adrenaline... This excess then increases your fat storage in order to meet the excessive demands for cortisol and adrenaline . This is how your weight increases!
Finally, another reason for weight gain after a period of stress is the tendency to compensate for anxiety with food. This is called "emotional eating." When we're in a stressful period, we often look for foods that bring us comfort. The problem is that these foods are often quite fatty and sugary. In the short term, this isn't too much of a problem. In the long term, however, it's a different story for the scales...!
Stress and weight gain: how to lose excess weight?
To avoid weight gain after a period of stress :
- Find out what is causing this stress: Take a few minutes for yourself and try to understand what is putting you in this state.
- Avoid focusing too much on your weight: don't panic if the pounds have already set in, tell yourself that there are always solutions to get rid of them!
- Watch your diet: Avoid foods that are too fatty and too sweet and vary your diet as needed!
- Keep yourself in shape: Yoga, fitness, running, sport is a great stress reliever so take full advantage of its benefits!
- Stop stressing! Practice relaxation exercises if necessary to relieve your anxiety. And if all else fails, don't hesitate to consult a psychotherapist so they can help you in turn.
3 Anti-Stress Foods for Weight Loss
There are many more, but here are 3 foods that should help you avoid potential weight gain after a period of stress :
- Fish: very good for your health, fish contains fatty acids as well as omega 3 which help reduce stress!
- Bananas: This fruit contains tryptophan, which our bodies convert into serotonin, a substance that makes us smile and helps us relax! The potassium also helps keep cortisol levels low.
- Nuts: Just like fish, nuts contain fatty acids and omega-3s that may help reduce stress!
And what are your tips for preventing weight gain after a period of stress?! 🍌