Reduce Stress for Weight Loss

We all know that things in life create stress, even things we have no control over. Stress can cause many problems such as an increase in blood pressure, increase in our heart rate, cause tension in our muscles, anxiety, nervousness, and even cause us to not be able to think and function clearly. Stress can also cause a negative effect on sleep.

It is very important to not only recognize stress, but to be able to stop stress. Cortisol and epinephrine stress hormones go into your blood stream from your adrenal glands when you are "stressed out". This can cause the body to release fat molecules into your bloodstream and then into the muscles. The longer we are stressed, the longer the fat molecules float around.

The next place for the fat molecules to go, is around your abdomen. We definitely don't want that! We now know, if we want weight loss, we need stress loss also. Stress can cause us not only to overeat, but to eat the wrong foods. Most of us grab for something heavy like noodles or something sweet like ice cream to "help settle us down". We need to settle down in a much better way than that!

The main thing we need to do is recognize what is causing the stress, and then correct the issue. Research shows the more active you are, the better you will be able to handle stress, if you get into a stressful situation. Being more active can also help you to be in a better mood, and feel better about yourself. And keep in mind, being active doesn't mean you have to go to the gym.

There are plenty of things you can do to be active, such as; take a walk outside, walk up and down the stairs, clean the house, put on some fast music and dance around, go to the mall or a large store and just walk around. All of this is activity. But, we must know, activity alone will not correct what is causing the stress. First, we all want to be helpful whenever we can. But, we cannot solve all the problems in the world!

We need to keep reminding ourselves that stress is bad for our health. We need to think things through before we react. Ask yourself, does this really affect me - or someone else. We can try to be of some help, but we can't take on other issues or problems. It will not help them, or us. So, be helpful when necessary, but let it go as soon as possible. Don't keep feeling like you have to take care of the problem. Try these few techniques to reduce the stress:

1. Take a few long deep breaths
2. Try to see the end result
3. See only the good, positive side
4. Talk it out. Don't hold your feelings in
5. Watch a funny movie or sitcom
6. Stay calm, take a break
7. Try to see the issue as an opportunity
8. Think of your favorite place to be
9. Think of your favorite person to be with
10. Ask yourself, is it really worth it?

You will look and feel much better about yourself and others when you reduce the stress. Each time you practice these techniques, it will get easier. Also, weight loss will be harder to achieve under stress. Chill out, have fun, and be happy!

Nikki Canyon is a staff writer for Weightloss Calorie Express(tm). Read more of Nikki's articles at: Weightloss.CX