Reduced stress may actually aid in weight loss. How? In response to stress, levels of the hormone cortisol rise; for people who continue to worry, those levels can stay high. Elevated cortisol levels not only stimulate eating, they ensure that additional calories are efficiently converted to fat. Worse, under the influence of cortisol, that fat tends to get deposited in the abdomen, a particularly unhealthy place. Large bellies are linked to insulin resistance—a precursor to Type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes—and heart disease. By combating stress, you can help normalize cortisol levels.
A few simple ways to combat stress at work is to change your working position frequently, initiate deep breathing, take a quick walk around the building, drink water, and stretch…to name just a few.
Oh, and there’s always yoga, reflexology, and reiki available at Expressions of Health!!