How Too Much Stress Can Cause Weight Gain (and What to Do About It)

When we are stressed our body releases Cortisol

Cortisol is a hormone naturally produced by your body, produced by the adrenal glands located on your kidneys, cortisol is released when you’re under stress, it sends your body into fight-or-flight mode, temporarily pausing regular bodily functions and slowing your metabolism. While this hormone is essential to survival, it can become harmful in excess amounts.

Cortisol Can Lead to Weight Gain

Cortisol stimulates your fat and carbohydrate metabolism, creating a surge of energy in your body, essential for survival situations, this also increases your appetite.

Additionally, elevated cortisol levels can cause cravings for sweet, fatty, and salty foods.

Excess cortisol can lead your body to produce less testosterone, which may cause a decrease in muscle mass, as well as slow down how many calories your body burns. 

Why This Slow Down Can Be Harmful

Because your metabolism is responsible for converting food into energy, a change in how this system works can cause potential problems.

•         Weight gain

•          Fatigue

•          Depression

•          health complications, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes

•          Reduced effectiveness of the immune system

Furthermore, the weight that people gain as a result of a spike in cortisol is often around the abdomen. Fat accumulated around the waist area is attributed to the development of cardiovascular disease, earning it the nickname of “toxic fat.”

Lowering stress levels to Prevent Future Health Issues

lowering your stress levels may feel impossible some days, but you can make a great start by, practicing relaxation through mindfulness, meditation, yoga or deep breathing can help bring the production of this hormone back down to normal levels. 

You’ll also prevent the excess storage of empty calories by ensuring that you consume a diet high in quality foods. Even though your body may be craving a quick fix, aim to eat mostly whole or plant-based foods.

By monitoring your diet, the calories you consume will be turned into energy, not converted into fat, and stored by the body.

Finally, exercise is an excellent way to manage your stress hormones too, go out for a run or cycle, take a daily walk with your family, or hit the gym virtually through online classes, exercising will help maintain your lean body mass, this is especially important during prolonged periods of high cortisol levels.