This is the Cause of Stress Can Lose Weight
Stress is the body's response that arises because of a lot of pressure. Various situations or events in life can cause stress. Usually, this happens because it is triggered by a new, unexpected event that could threaten you or put you in a difficult situation. The impact stress not only affects mental conditions but can also affect the physical, such as weight loss by itself.
Get to know stress more deeply
Stress is actually the body's way of protecting itself. In dangerous situations, stress signals the body to prepare for the threat. This makes the pulse and breathing speed up, muscles tense up, and the brain uses more oxygen.
In non-life-threatening situations, stress can give you the motivation to prepare for the triggering situation, such as making your study harder before an exam.
Stress is very natural and can be experienced by everyone. There are various types of stress and their triggers. Stress triggers can occur once in the short term or repeatedly over a long period of time.
If you continue to allow stress to arise, then this can have an impact on mental and physical conditions. Over time, uncontrollable stress can lead to serious problems.
Stress can have an impact on mental health such as anxiety disorders or depression. While on the physical, stress can cause problems such as heart disease and hypertension. Stress can also make you lose your appetite and make you lose weight drastically because of stress.
Why do you lose weight because of stress?
Based on several studies, The exact cause of stress can lead to weight loss is not known. However, there are some conditions that can trigger your weight loss.
1. Trouble sleeping
In some people, stress makes it more difficult for them to fall asleep than usual. This can affect the quality of your daily sleep, making you feel lethargic and tired easily.
These disorders ultimately affect the production of cortisol which can have an impact on the body's metabolism and eating habits. According to a study by the American Dietetic Association, the calories burned when you can't sleep are greater than when you're asleep and can trigger weight loss due to stress.
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2. The body's fight or flight effect
Stress puts your body in fight or flight mode. In this condition, the body will release stress hormones, namely adrenaline, and cortisol.
Adrenaline prepares the body for strenuous activity and at the same time reduces your desire to eat. While cortisol will signal the body to suppress functions that are not needed, such as the digestive system response.
In addition, these hormones can also cause your heart rate and breathing to be faster, thus helping you burn calories.
3. Changes in the digestive system
Regarding the previous point, during the fight or flight response, your body suppresses unneeded functions, one of which is by slowing digestion to focus on responding to stressors.
Stress affects communication between the brain and the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. The result will arise several conditions such as stomach pain, ulcers, diarrhea, and constipation. Symptoms of the pain become more pronounced when you are stressed.
The pain will make you eat less. When food intake is reduced, of course, this will affect your weight.
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Restore appetite in times of stress
You can deal with weight loss due to stress by re-igniting your appetite. Try setting a reminder on your phone to remind you when you should eat. This will help you avoid missing meals.
You don't have to eat large portions. Start eating small portions but on a regular meal schedule.
Try to choose foods that are high in protein and fiber. Avoid sugar, caffeine, and oily foods, because these types of foods can increase energy quickly but decrease again in a short time.
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If your weight loss occurs drastically or continues to decrease, consult a doctor to find the cause.
