This Stress Hormone Could Be The Reason You Gain Weight!

 

You entered a meeting at work. Biscuits, cookies, cakes on the table look at you from afar. In the beginning you are not there at all. But as the meeting progresses, the stress level rises. After a heated argument, you attack the cakes and cookies and start eating them one after the other. The stress hormone "cortisol" is what makes you do this. Cortisol, which is declared the biggest enemy of public health in America, is associated with many diseases such as heart, diabetes, high blood pressure, memory loss.

So what is this cortisol?

Cortisol is a stress hormone secreted by the body to protect itself against stress or fear through a fight or flight mechanism. Let's say you opened your door and entered your house and saw flames coming out of the kitchen. Your brain immediately sends a message to your adrenal glands to release cortisol and adrenaline. Immediately after, your liver pumps sugar into the blood and makes your heart beat faster. Your body is pumping sugar because it knows you'll need energy to run away from the fire. Canadian biochemist Hans Selye, explained in his article named inNature, is of great importance in vital situations due to the flight-fight mechanism-induced cortisol secretion. However, a physical action is required to remove cortisol from the body. Daily stresses create a feeling of flight or fight, just like vital situations, and cause cortisol to be secreted in the body. However, since there is no physical escape from daily stress and worries such as escaping from the fire, cortisol begins to accumulate in the body and invites diseases.

Cortisol and umbilical relationship

The increased cortisol level in the body also causes fat in the belly area. Belly fat is a type of fat that causes even more cortisol to be secreted. This causes a vicious circle. This is why it is easy to gain weight and difficult to lose it. There are also studies showing a relationship between high cortisol levels and stress-induced consumption of junk food. So how can you lower your cortisol levels?

Socialize with your relatives

A feeling of intimacy—with family, friends, or a romantic partner—is critical to your physical and mental health, according to a report in Psychology Today. Getting close and being friendly has the opposite effect of running away or fighting. This causes the body to release oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, and lower cortisol levels. That's why it's important to spend time with your loved ones. If it is not possible to meet face to face, even talking on the phone is effective in lowering your cortisol level.

Laugh more!

American psychiatrist Dr. Fry says there's an inverse equation between laughing and stress hormones. Laughing at every opportunity and seeing the funny side of life lowers your cortisol levels. Laugh more!

move regularly

Martial arts are great for letting go of anger and ultimately lowering your cortisol levels. Similarly, cardio-based sports such as running, cycling, swimming, jogging can help you burn not only calories but also cortisol. Physical activities such as yoga also contribute to lowering your stress and cortisol levels. Even if you only spare 10-20 minutes a day to move, it is possible to see great benefits in the long term.

eat healthy

Take care to eat vegetables and fruits, choose foods that are rich in fiber, such as legumes, nuts, peanuts, whole grains, eat fish 2-3 times a week for omega 3, and drink plenty of water.