Losing weight can be a challenging endeavor. If you’re struggling with your fitness goals, it’s important to remember that even relaxation could impact your weight loss goals. 

Trying to lose weight is a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be nearly as difficult as some people make it out to be. We do a lot of strenuous work just to burn all those calories down, but what if the secret to losing weight is actually through relaxation? You heard that right! In today’s article, we will talk about the effects of stress on weight and ways to relax.

Effects of Stress on Weight

Stress is one of the first things that affect your weight-loss success. When you’re stressed, you may find yourself feeling hungry even if you just ate a big meal. If this happens, it’s possible that your body is trying to store fat in case it needs to protect itself from future starvation. This can lead to fat retention, especially around the midsection, and cause people with stress to eat more unhealthy foods like sweets, chips, or fries since those foods are easy on the stomach and won’t fill them up as much as healthier alternatives like fruits and vegetables would.

When we’re stressed, our bodies produce more cortisol. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone because it’s produced in response to stress and makes us feel like we need more food. 

The link between stress and weight gain is well documented in some research literature. Elevated cortisol levels have been found in people who are overweight or obese compared to those who are leaner, according to one study published by the American Psychological Association (APA). Another study showed that participants with higher blood pressure had higher levels of cortisol than those with lower blood pressure when they were exposed to stressful situations such as public speaking or completing math tests. Another study showed that people who experienced high psychological distress over time gained more weight than those without such distress; both groups were given the same diet but only one group experienced increased levels of stress as measured by their self-reported depression/anxiety symptoms (per this APA citation).

The levels of stress can make you feel hungry, even though you may not be. It’s a strange phenomenon called “stress-induced hunger.” This process sends signals to your brain and increases your appetite and ruins your current diet and weight loss plans. 

If you aren’t eating enough protein when you’re stressed out, this will only make this process worse. When our muscles begin breaking down as they do during exercise or physical exertion, they become sore as well as weaker without proper nutrition. So if we don’t eat enough protein, then we won’t have strong muscles anymore—and that means less burning of calories!

 

If you want to achieve your fitness goals, the best thing to do is to develop better habits and relax whenever possible. Here are a few ways you can relax while working on your goal of losing weight:

  1. Find time for your hobby.

What you do to relax is up to you. Some people like to read, while others prefer a game of chess or cards. Whatever your hobby may be, it should be something that you enjoy and that gives you a sense of reward when you do it.

It’s important to find time for hobbies because they are good for your mental health as well as your physical health. If you can find time for hobbies, then you will have less stress in your life which will help with losing weight.

Hobbies are also very important in keeping your mind active and sharp, so if possible try to find ways to incorporate them into your daily routine so that they become part of your life.

  1. Schedule fitness/gym breaks

If you spend a lot of time at the gym or you’re a fitness fanatic, it’s important to take breaks from exercise. If you don’t give yourself a break from your usual routine, you could burn out and lose motivation. Take time off from exercise in order to heal injuries and recover from overtraining, advises the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). You can also take days off to rest and recuperate during periods of intense training or competition.

Spend more time doing activities that aren’t exercise related. The ACSM recommends that people who exercise regularly should also engage in other physical activities that may not contribute as heavily toward fitness goals. These include walking, hiking or cycling for pleasure or to get places rather than driving; taking up salsa; zumba dancing; participating in sports that don’t require a lot of practice or skill; playing on playgrounds with children; swimming laps; and gardening or woodworking at home.

  1. Get eight hours of sleep a night.

Getting enough sleep is one of the most important things you can do to lose weight. When you sleep, your body secretes hormones that increase your metabolism and help you burn more calories throughout the day. It helps you metabolize fat, and it keeps your hormones in check so that you don’t experience cravings for sugar or carbohydrates.

According to a study published in the journal Sleep, people who slept for less than five hours per night were more likely to gain weight over a 10-year period than those who slept seven hours or more.

To hit the eight-hour mark, go to bed by 10 p.m. and set an alarm for when it’s time to get up. If you still have trouble falling asleep, try listening to a guided meditation on YouTube before bed; the videos have helped many people fall asleep faster and sleep better throughout the night.

  1. Yoga sessions

Yoga is a great way to relax and lose weight. Yoga helps you get in shape, relieve stress, and gain energy. Yoga also helps you stay healthy by improving your posture, breathing, and digestion. Yoga is one of the most popular forms of exercise today because it’s so relaxing and energizing at the same time.

Yoga is also good for your body because it helps you lose weight by increasing muscle tone and helping you breathe better. It also improves your circulation, which causes more efficient use of oxygen by the heart and muscles.

  1. Take a walk

Getting outside and taking a walk in nature is one of the best ways to relax. The fresh air will help you breathe deeply, which can help your body release stress hormones that are linked to weight gain.

Connecting with the world around you again is important when it comes to reconnecting with yourself, so going on an outdoor adventure is a great way of doing this. You may be surprised at how much time you spend in front of screens these days—and even if not all screens are bad for our health, they do affect us physically and mentally! If we spend too much time looking at them (or watching them), then we start losing touch with who we really are as human beings. 

When we’re surrounded by nature, we forget about our problems and focus on what’s important at that moment. This has many benefits for our psychological health, as it allows us to let go of pent-up feelings and live in the present. It also allows us to connect with our true selves, as well as get some much-needed fresh air. Try it out next time you need a break!

The best thing you can do to lose weight and stay healthy is to relax. This means turning away from stress and negative feelings, as well as finding time in your day for a yoga class or walk outdoors. The more relaxed you are, the better it will be for your body and mind; so give these tips a try today. If you’re struggling to lose weight despite trying out all these tips, you probably need help. Hop on a call with me and let’s talk about your health and fitness goals.