Lower Your Stress

When you are plagued with chronic stress it can wreak havoc on your body and mind. As a response to try to cope with stress your body increases production of a hormone called cortisol.

Cortisol is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in your body. It has other functions as well including regulating metabolism and glucose levels in your blood as well as aiding in the short term memory functions in your brain. It also contributes to the fight or flight response caused by stress or fear.

The problem is that if your body produces too much cortisol on a regular basis it harms your body.

Overproduction of cortisol puts your body into overdrive. So, when you have chronic stress you are constantly producing an overabundance of cortisol which can cause a variety of problems, including weight gain, memory loss and having a hard time learning new things.

Armed with this knowledge, it’s time to set out to reduce your stress.

Sometimes it may seem like the stress you have is unavoidable and it may very well be. Stress at work or dealing with an emergency sometimes just can't be avoided. When this is the case you need to find ways to relax and calm down when you are not dealing with the immediate situation causing the stress..

Exercise helps combat stress and leaves you feeling exhilarated and happy due to another hormone called endorphins. Endorphins release a feel good chemical reaction in your brain that leads to a natural high. Plus all that physical activity is good for your waistline!

Relaxation methods also help reduce stress. What you prefer to do to relax should be good for your mind and body. Many people choose to go out for drinks after work to take the load off but these types of activities may only worsen the effects of your stress once the alcohol wears off. And alcohol contributes to weight gain.

Positive ways to relax include meditation, getting a massage, taking a yoga class or learning tai chi, having a heart to heart talk with a close friend, watching a good movie that makes you laugh out loud, being present in the moment to enjoy what is going on around you and having an attitude of gratitude. It doesn’t matter how you choose to relax. The important thing is that you find a positive way to do so.

The bottom line is lowering your stress levels will help you lose weight, get your mental clarity back, and feel better!.