Obesity has become an epidemic, and is connected to cortisol, a hormone your body makes when under high levels of stress. We juggle careers, marital and familial needs alongside financial and social obligations. More often than not, we wish there were more hours in a day to check off the to-do list. These things, although usually positive, can still be sources of stress. Our bodies’ reactions to stress varies, but frequently include anxiety, high blood pressure, comfort food overindulgence, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and even increased head colds. But what can you do about this unintended weight gain? The most obvious answer to fight obesity is to manage stress.
Assess stress sources. Stress causes obesity, so what causes you stress? Having a job plus taking care of the kids and helping with their homework, cooking dinner, running errands, and cleaning house – all by bedtime – adds up to a stressful lifestyle. You may have medical or financial issues, a marriage on the rocks, or be starting or ending careers. You get the picture. Life throws stress at us by the bucketful. Make a list and then see if you can balance your obligations differently. Get help cleaning your house. Eliminate commitments that don’t really affect you or your family directly. Set a budget and then live by it so your finances improve with time. If stress causes obesity, then doing what you can to manage stress will help.
Exercise, sleep and diet. Cortisol, our “fight or flight” hormone, isn’t inherently bad, but high levels of it endured over time are linked to obesity. You can’t stop cortisol production, but you can incorporate a healthier lifestyle that is affordable. Increase exercise. Try yoga. Walk around the block or alongside any of this area’s many lakes and rivers. Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep. If you are sleeping six hours a night, make it seven. Or better yet, eight hours. Changing the diet when under stress is hard, but not impossible. Plan ahead. Take veggie sticks to work instead of chips. Start with a salad at dinner instead of the whole pot of mashed potatoes. (Hey, we aren’t judging! We love comfort food too.)
Natural Alternatives. After embracing the above ideas, you may still be fighting an uphill battle of stress-related obesity. Life is entirely a long run thing; keep trying. In addition to watching diet, sleep and exercise, natural supplements are helpful. Try Vitamin B-complex, which is a natural upper. Essential oils like lavender and STR (a natural sleep aid) are also good for stress management. Remember, if you can reduce stress, you are on your way to reducing obesity.
Recognizing stressors, plus managing diet, exercise and sleep are the first steps to fighting obesity naturally. New Sun is here to help you, but common sense says discuss new health regiments with your doctor before beginning your personal war on obesity.
