Is Stress Making You Fat?
Do you rush around busy from the time you get up until the time you go to bed, over-run with work and responsibilities? If so, you may be experiencing the kind of stress that can cause the body to store fat around the midsection.
Stress can take many forms including physical and mental stress. However there are a whole host of other factors that add stress to the body. There is a huge amount of physical stress placed on the body from poor posture. When the body structure is not in proper balance, breathing, muscle function, joint health, circulation and internal organ support are compromised.
When was the last time you checked in on your thinking? Are your thoughts positive or negative? Are you focusing on what you dont want or are you focusing on the life of your dreams? When you are stressed, a fight-or-flight response is activated causing the stress hormone cortisol to be elevated in the body. Extra cortisol in the body tells the abdomen to open its fat depots and store more fat than it otherwise would. The equation is simple: the more you stress> the more your body pumps out cortisol to handle your stress> and the more fat you store.
Research confirms that unrelenting chronic stress is a factor that promotes weight gain. New research performed at Laval University in Quebec shows that chronic stress causes our fat cells to become resistant to fat loss, especially fat cells around our abdomens. Cortisol activates fat cellsall fat cellsto store fat! But those that are called central fat cells, found mainly deep in the abdominal wall, have four times the cortisol receptors on their cell membranes. Each time you are stressed the cortisol-fat mechanism turns on and your body stores more fat to handle all the stress you are experiencing.
What are potential solutions?
Reduce the physical stress on your body by enrolling in a pilates class. Pilates works specifically to improve posture and optimal movement patterns in the body so that the body can move with ease and efficiency throughout the day.
Consider taking a yoga class. Yoga offers a perfect way to de-stress. Thirteen separate research studies demonstrated that the practice of yoga reduced body weight by as much as 13.6% for participants, not because they were involved in an all-out, sweat-induced workout, but because it gave them time to relax.
Work with a lifestyle coach. Lifestyle coaches can help you identify key areas of stress in your life and work through strategies to reduce stress in all areas of your life.
Melissa West, Ph.D.\r Melissa West is a lifestyle and coach yoga and pilates instructor who practices yoga daily as a way of coping with day- to-day stress. For more information check out the lifestyle coaching and pilates and yoga DVDs available through http://www.melissawest.com
Easy Answer To a Simple Question - What Is Stress
Many are quick to point out how stressful their jobs are, or how stressed out they feel, but ask them a simple question like,...
Summer Time Is Moving Time In Boston
Hiring a Boston Moving Company during the summer can be a trying and stressful time. The summers in Boston are extremely busy...
Stress Relief and Relaxation
The world we live in is an extremely stressful place. And not only can that stress be overwhelming, it can also wreak havoc ...
What is Stress and How Does Stress Affect Your Health?
Im feeling stressed out! How many times have you either said this to yourself or heard someone else say it? Stressors are a...
Simple Clues to Unlocking the Mystery of Teenage Stress Syndrome
Open a newspaper, or turn on the TV, and the tragic consequences of teenage stress and anxiety become apparent. Gangs, drug ...
Prevent Self Harm
When you are depressed, it is very easy to find ways to hurt yourself. Not just mentally or emotionally, but physically. Th...
Dragon Meditation As Stress Management
One benefit of Dragon Meditation (DM) is make you in relax and calm condition. This condition will make your mind and soul in...
Learn the Natural Way to Detox Your Body
Our body is exposed to a lot of toxins especially on the modern lifestyle now and toxins is not a good substance to keep in o...
Five Simple Yet Effective Answers for How to Prevent Stress
Believe it or not, simply learning how to prevent stress in your life can be one of the most important things you do to impro...
Leading with Trust - Nu Leadership Series
Wealth in the new regime flows directly from innovation, not optimization; that is, wealth is not gained by perfecting the kn...
Different Myths About Mental Health In Society
Society has always been apprehensive about patients suffering with mental disorders. Many people do not even understand the m...
Stress and Depression Reduction Techniques
I have suffered with both depression and stress in my life thus far. They both seemed to go hand in hand for me personally. F...
You Can Control Your Thoughts and Emotions to Help Depression Treatment
Change your thoughts and your emotions change automatically.There will always be things in your life you cannot change,that c...
The Truth On How To Look Younger
Most people, deep down, would probably love to reduce the signs of premature aging but cannot continuously afford to keep buy...
Harmonize Your Stress Away!
Sometimes our life seems to spin out of control. You know how it is; we get so busy and so full of stress that its difficult ...
The Brain-Body Connection and Emotional Stress
I am so stressed out today!How many times lately have you said or heard this expression? Stress has become such a common hou...
Avoid Panic Attacks - Tips to Help You Cope with Panic Attacks
1. Skip Alcohol and CaffeineOne easy way to avoid panic attacks is to stop or severely limit your consumption of alcohol and...
The Brain-Body Connection Of Stress
Its a beautiful day in Yellowstone National Park. You emerge from your tent into the morning sunlight, a gentle breeze delig...
Sleep Problems - Causes And Cures
Insomnia is a universal problem. There are millions all over the world who have difficulty sleeping at night. There is no ...
Are Money Worries Affecting Your Mental Health
Married men live longer than unmarried men, it is a fact that has been reported over and over again from various studies. Wom...