Yes, stress-induced hormonal imbalance can make you gain weight. Stress management can significantly improve hormonal imbalance effects including weight gain.
Stress has been linked to weight gain due to its influence on hormones that give your brain hunger cues.
When you’re facing a stressful situation, the body releases cortisol, a hormone responsible for appetite control and fat storage. Moreover, sleep disruptions due to stress can make you fatigued enough to consume high-calorie comfort food.
What happens when you’re chronically stressed
When you’re chronically stressed, your adrenal glands become exhausted. These small glands atop your kidneys produce cortisol. As cortisol levels go haywire and become imbalanced, it throws your system out of sync.
Beyond expecting mood swings and fatigue, we’ll see changes in our metabolism and weight management.
Moreover, chronically stressed individuals are likely to develop deep abdominal fat that surrounds the organs, leading to an increased risk of:
- insulin resistance
- type-2 diabetes
- cardiovascular disease
Tips for Managing Stress and Weight
Here are a couple of simple yet effective tips to manage your weight during stressful situations:
- Don’t stop working out. Feeling stressed out is not a good reason to opt out of physical fitness activities! Stick to your fitness routine as much as you can as it helps maintain your stress levels.
- Practice mindful eating techniques. During periods of stress, you need to be attentive to food choices, hunger cues, and portion sizes. Being present allows you to know if you’re really hungry or just stressed, preventing stress-related overeating.
- Do what you love with people you love. Manage stress by seeking support from loved ones. Engage in relaxing activities! Take a walk, enjoy a hobby, and spend quality time with loved ones.
Holistic and Scientific Approach to Stress-Induced Weight Gain
At Marie France, we take a holistic and personalized approach to address stress-induced hormonal imbalance and its associated weight challenges.
Book a FREE consultation with us today to know your options.
