Your level of stress affects your weight. The better you manage your stress the better you can be at controlling your weight.
When we are stressed we make different food choices; we crave comfort foods, usually fatty and sweet. We have less energy to make nutritious foods and less energy for resisting the quicker and less nutritious choices. Plus, stress causes us to release cortisol which affects how we metabolize and lay down fat.
Even 2 minutes of relaxation a day can make a difference. As you become mindful you relax, lessen your stress and your neurochemicals change, affecting your body as well as your mind.
Make 2 minutes for yourself and try:
- watching clouds, a lava lamp, fish, a candle flame
- putting on perfume, scented lotion or essential oil, sitting and enjoying the fragrance
- slowly sipping hot or iced tea
- savoring a small piece of dark chocolate
- rocking in a rocking chair or swing
- rubbing a polished stone
- doing something repetitive like knitting or crocheting
- listen to music
- dance
- listen to nature sounds
- find a leaf and really examine it
- sit outside
- laugh; fake a loud boisterous cackle until you naturally start laughing, or watch people laughing on You Tube
- sit and take 9 slow, normal breaths
Continue making time daily and practicing your form of relaxation. The effects on lessening your stress are cumulative. It’s good for your health!
