How To Reduce Stress and Weight Gain?

Posted by eliasmarc on December 6th, 2022

Maintaining a schedule and/or routine can help make these healthy behaviours a habit and combat stress-related weight changes. Then, there are many strategies that can help you break the cycle of stress and weight gain.

Make exercise a priority. Exercising is a critical component of stress reduction and weight management. The Medical Weight Loss Center Las Cruces New Mexico can help you solve both issues simultaneously, so it's essential for warding off stress-related weight gain. Whether you go for a walk during your lunch break or hit the gym after work, incorporate regular exercise into your routine.

Eat healthier comfort foods. You don't need carbohydrates or fats to feel more energized.One of the many studies testing the effectiveness of comfort foods in improving mood found that eating fairly healthier comfort foods, such as air-popped popcorn, is just as likely to boost a negative mood as "unhealthy" foods. 6 Making sure your pantry is stocked with these types of foods will make it easier to snag a healthier option during times of high stress.

Exercise-aware eating Focusing on what you're eating without distractions may help you reduce stress, lose weight, or gain weight.One study found that fat women who had mindfulness-grounded stress and nutrition training were better able to avoid emotional eating and had lower stress levels, which led to lower belly fat over time. 7 Next time you eat a meal, try enjoying it without the distraction of your phone or the television.

Keep a food journal. Paying attention to your eating habits can help you gain control over your food consumption. A 2011 review of studies that examined the link between self-monitoring and weight loss found that those who kept a food journal were more likely to manage their weight than those who didn't. 8 So whether you use an app to track your food input or you write everything in a food diary, being more aware of what you put in your mouth could ameliorate your eating habits.

Drink more water. It's easy to confuse thirst with hunger. But confusing these two cravings can lead you to eat more calories than your body needs, resulting in weight gain. It's much easier to identify hunger after you've excluded any mild dehydration. However, try drinking some water first if it's only been a couple of hours since you've eaten and you feel hungry. However, you should also grab a snack if you still feel empty.