We have all heard about the usual lament that stress makes people overweight. This is another of those supposed coping mechanism that people under stress adopt. It is only partly true. In reality, when people are stressed out, the body releases cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone in the body that is often triggered by stress. When cortisol is released in higher than normal amounts, it triggers pangs of hunger and then one may eat often to excess. What is worse is that when stress is elevated, cortisol works in a way where it stores fat, especially in the area where we do not like it most, the abdominal region. And then a cycle is started. As one fails to manage stress, eating is resorted to that releases additional cortisol further storing fat in the belly and so it goes on. This affects both men and women in a similar fashion.
The long term effect is that cortisol stays there even when the reason for the stress is gone. This would mean that the deadline set yesterday to finish a job that raised your cortisol levels and found its way to the stomach region will stay there for a while in high levels for the next succeeding days even when the cause of the stress has passed. Since stress is an everyday part of life, especially to professionals whose jobs require constant output, stress management or at least a conscious effort to reduce stress has to be undertaken.
Studies have shown that one effective way of relieving stress is exercise. Physical activity not only reduces anxiety, it also relieves other physical ailments in the long term. People who make time for exercise and other physical activities as a coping mechanism for reducing stress feel good about themselves afterwards that gives them enough sense of well being that in turn makes them more fit to cope with additional stress later.
Brisk walking, running and jogging are widely accepted as very effective and least expensive ways of having a good body workout. In fact, most health professionals encourage a 30-minute walk a day as part of a regiment not only to get rid of the effects of the cortisol in the stomach region but as an effective stress management method.
Other stress management methods that improve health that are simple, inexpensive and effective are calming exercises, massages and hot/warm bubble baths.
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