Nov 3, 2010 Heather Donaldson
Stress Contributes to Obesity - Heather Donaldson
Chronic stress causes the body to release hormones that stimulate appetite and cravings, which can lead to the eating of huge quantities of fattening foods
How Stress Affects Weight
- Stress also makes us store more body fat.
- Cortisol, the hormone released during stress, makes us crave foods more.
- Stress, worry, anxiety and depression, can cause an uneasy feeling in the stomach which is often confused with hunger.
- Stress hormones lower magnesium, leading to problems with weight management.
- Food is an excellent tranquilliser (as is smoking). But it is not wise to use either of them as a relaxant.
We need to break the cycle of stress, depression, guilt and overeating.
Acute Stress and Chronic Stress
From caveman days of being chased by wild and woolly creatures, or wild and woolly men, our bodies have adapted well to acute stress. The stress response is immediate and automatic. Adrenaline floods into the circulation, our pulse races, blood pressure goes up, eyes dilate, all non essential systems slow down, and blood flows to the strong muscles of arms and legs, for flight or fight. Glucose and fats pour into the bloodstream for extra energy, and our blood thickens in case the mammoth gets us and we need to clot quickly.
Our digestive system stops working – the last thing we are thinking of as we are being chased by the woolly mammoth is what we would like for dinner. At that moment, I suspect we would be more concerned with what he might be having for his dinner.
Our reproductive system also shuts down. Unless we are a bit strange, I doubt too many of us would be thinking about sex while being chased by a woolly mammoth.
Our immune system slows. Short term, this probably doesn’t matter much but long term it can be fatal.
So acute stress is essential for escape and survival, but these days our woolly mammoths are called mortgages, unemployment, bosses, difficult relationships and terrible teenagers. The stress is no longer acute and over in a few minutes. It is chronic and can last for years, or even a lifetime. Our bodies are not well adapted to this type of stress.
Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, digestive problems and stroke. It weakens the immune system, makes us vulnerable to disease and can be a big factor in obesity.
Eating and Stress
Eating while stressed is not good. Our digestive systems do not work well when we are stressed – this adds to our stress. Our bodies are not adapted to munching on a sandwich while being chased by a woolly mammoth. Our mouths are dry when we are stressed and saliva is essential for proper digestion.
Emotional stress is usually chronic. As Dorothy Hall once said, “If you eat compulsively to fill the emptiness – it’s not your stomach that’s empty”.
Emotional trauma can be of more danger to health than a virus or bacteria.
A study done in 2002 showed that people (especially women) who felt a lack of emotional support in their lives had a greater tendency to eat, to cope with stress. (Preventive Medicine January 2002)
As babies we learn early that if we cry, someone will usually put something into our mouths, and as children, when we are good we are often given sweet things as a treat, so it’s no wonder we begin to regard food as a reward. Then, as adults, if we feel we have worked hard and no one has rewarded us, we need to reward ourselves with food, especially sweets.
Dealing With the Problems of Emotional Stress and Overeating
Sometimes we self sabotage because we subconsciously “need” to be fat. If so, this is the time to really question who or what we are protecting ourselves from … and why.
Then it’s important to face the problem, acknowledge it, deal with it (if possible), let it go and move on. We can’t change what we don’t acknowledge – so it’s good to ask ourselves, “Why do I overeat”? and if it’s to cope with stress, anger or depression, be honest about it, face it, change it and learn to manage the stress, depression and anger in other ways.
Sometimes it helps to write a letter to the person involved (you don’t have to send it), confront them (if alive), stomp on their grave (if dead), go to a counselor, or just forgive them in your mind, but deal with it somehow. Forgiveness is a choice and is very powerful, and although it’s never easy to forgive, it’s easier than not doing it. Until we forgive, we are the ones who suffer. Anger and hate for people who have hurt us may well be justified, but it’s not about them, it’s about us. We forgive for ourselves.
“We carry our past around with us until we decide to let it go”.
Just being aware of the connections between stress, our emotional health, and some reasons why we overeat and gain weight, can be empowering in our struggle to manage a stable bodyweight.
Be kind to yourself. Don’t expect yourself to be perfect. No one else is.
Sources -
Book by Jon Kabat-Zinn, " Full Catastrophe Living"
Book by Ian Gawler "Peace Of Mind"
Links
“Stress – What Stress is, Its Symptoms and What it Does To Us” http://www.suite101.com/content/stress---what-stress-is-its-symptoms-and-what-it-does-to-us-a303602
“Stress – Part 2. Some of the Causes of Stress and How Humour Helps” http://www.suite101.com/functions/article/edit.cfm/304037
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