Stress Management

Stress is not a friend of our hormones. Cortisol is our “fight or flight” hormone, and it’s stimulated when we’re under stress. It’s meant to give us energy to run away from a threat (like a sabertooth tiger) or to physically fight it. Today, we do neither, and so our cortisol levels typically remain higher for longer periods of time.

High cortisol levels encourage the body to hold on to fat, especially in the abdominal area. So, basically, we get stressed, the stress makes us pudgy in the middle, and then we get to stress about our muffin tops, which only increases our cortisol again…and the cycle continues! It makes sense, then, to have a stress management strategy in place.

As much as possible, decrease the sources of stress in your life through conscious decision-making. Is there anything that stresses you out that you can give up? It’s okay – even important – to say “no” once in a while.

Once you’re left with stresses that can’t actually be removed, it’s time to manage the effect they have on you. Each day should include an activity that helps you to relax. It can really be whatever resonates with you, from taking a leisurely walk with your dog, to meditating, to listening to soothing music.