Do people tend to lose weight or gain weight when they are stressed?
The truth is that both are possible, but most people gain weight when they are stressed. The best science at present suggests that it is intense, traumatic stress that make us lose weight, while the chronic stress we all face daily only makes us fatter.
To understand this, you must realize that there are very real chemical changes in your body when you experience stress. Stress can impact chemicals that regulate appetite, leaving you hungrier. Some stress chemicals actually make you crave the worst foods.
Chronic stress is also associated with changes in brain and body chemistry that can impact muscle growth, metabolism, energy, motivation, willpower and mood. No wonder stress can make us pack on pounds.
Being stressed out all the time is kind of like taking a pill that makes you fat. The good news is, if stress makes us fat, then learning to manage stress can help us to be skinny. Next time you take some time to relax, don’t forget to smile. You just took a skinny pill. (You can get a free relaxation practice to get you started through our website.)
Dr. Kerri Nevin is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and a Mayo Clinic Certified Wellness Coach. She specializes in woman’s issues, including weight loss and fitness, relationship issues, and a mind-body approach to women’s health. Her passion is in empowering women to find and live their own best lives.
