Can Stress cause you to gain weight?
When we are put in a stressful situation the brain releases a neurochemical called corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which triggers the "fight or flight" response in the body. It is a high alert signal for the body to prepare to fight or flee from upcoming danger.
The pupils dilate, respiration and heart rate increase. CRH causes the release of adrenaline and cortisol, hormones which mobilize fat and carbohydrate stores into the blood stream for quick energy. During this stage, the appetite is surpressed and the digestive system is shut down. This is why many people under acute stress will say that they are too nervous to eat.
However , as the immediate stress dissipates, adrenaline levels drop and we begin to feel calmer. The cortisol levels remain elevated in order to bring the body back to a balanced state. One way it accomplishes this is by increasing the appetite to replenish fat and carbohydrates that should have been used to fight or flee the stressor.
So what happens if you aren't fighting or fleeing from anything? What happens when you stress comes from traffic jams, deadlines, having a job or a boss you despise, trying to juggle family and career or a host of other modern day stressors? This kind of prolonged stress will cause cortisol levels to stay elevated in turn keeping the appetite chronically elevated. These high levels of cortisol will also keep insulin levels high leading to the deposit of fat stores in the abdominal area. Thus the extra weight gain.
Can you avoid all of the stress in your life? Of course not. If you are one of the millions however who are chronically stressed out or anxious you may need to learn some ways to "actively relax".Getting a massage, learning breathing exercises, meditation, making time to take walks and exercise can all be helpful.
| 
