Why Stress leads to Weight Gain and an Unhappy Gut
We all have IT, most of us are trying to "manage" IT, and all of us would love to decrease IT. IT is close to impossible not to think, talk, and feel IT today among the current COVID19 pandemic.
IT being Stress.
Chronic low-level stress is at the root of the inflammation that triggered an autoimmune condition for me back in 2002, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome a little over a year ago. Both my autoimmune disease and Chronic Fatigue made the everyday things I generally take for granted, far more challenging.
Stress, in its many forms, can lead to overeating and unhealthy food choices. It also can lead to weight gain due to the body's response to increased levels of stress hormones. You feel how excess stress makes a mental and physical impact on your body, including wreaking havoc on your gut and digestion.
Decreasing the stress response is key to prevent stress-related fat gain, Gastrointestinal (GI) distress or disorders, and Heart Disease. Stress and the Gut are deeply connected. When in an overwhelmed state of stress, it breaks down our immune system and can lead to other physical and emotional illnesses.
Today, with the added concern and uncertainty over the Coronavirus, it is vital to keep the immune system healthy.
Factors that affect your stress levels, your gut health, and your ability to lose weight.
Lack of Quality & Quantity Sleep
Emotional distress
Dehydration
Overworked and Overwhelmed
Self-Pressure
Poor Digestion
Negative Thinking Cycle
Feeling Scarcity and Lack
Anger
Too Much Exercise
Extensive Travel
Sitting for extended periods
Lack of Quality Foods free of Pesticides, Herbicides, and Industrialized Oil
What to Do?
Be Vigilant about Improving Your Sleep - Poor sleep quality and sleep deprivation lead to sugar cravings, increases the risk for Type 2 Diabetes, Alzheimer's, and Heart Disease.
Eat in a Calm Environment - Eat sitting down and not in front of a screen, or on the run.
Move Move Move - DAILY - to release the feel-good hormones, improve digestion, and calm the nervous system.
Meditate - Not sure it is for you. Take a seat, close your eyes, and set a timer for 10 minutes and breathe. Find a Meditation App and give it a go.
Log Off and Unplug - from Social Media and the News - pay attention to what may trigger a negative emotion or response and unfollow that person, or stop watching the News.
Cultivate Quality Friendships - amongst the increase in social media, many feel a greater sense of isolation and stress, lean on your good friends or cultivate new ones, and enjoy some good laughter.
BREATHE - take more quality deep breaths, which will calm the nervous system. Many are hunched over a desk too long each day and are unaware of our lack of proper breathing.
Gratitude - Level up this practice - leave space to focus on how much there is to be grateful for vs. spinning in our negative thoughts - Gratitude is a GAME CHANGER!
Pick one or two from the above that require your attention most, and begin to establish healthy stress-reducing habits today.
What about Supplementation?
While I am vigilant in talking about how to level up your nutrition for optimal health, all of the women I work with create an optimal environment to reduce stress. If you are feeling ill, have gut issues, can't seem to lose weight and want a bit more guidance, I encourage you to reach out. I would love to chat.
Now -