56% of the UK population is overweight or obese (with a BMI of more than 25), over 80% of people who have tried dieting have failed. Why?
Stress!
Stress is a normal part of life. It can be caused by a variety of things, such as work, relationships, and finances. While short-term stress can be helpful, chronic stress can have a negative impact on your health.
Well, one of the ways that stress can affect your health is by leading to weight gain. When you’re stressed, your body releases the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone” because it helps your body to respond to stressful situations. However, too much cortisol can have negative consequences, including weight gain.
Cortisol increases your appetite and makes you crave sugary and fatty foods. It also slows down your metabolism, which makes it harder to burn calories. As a result, people who are stressed are more likely to overeat and gain weight.
In addition to weight gain, stress can also lead to other health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. If you’re struggling with stress, it’s important to find ways to manage it.
One type of therapy that can be helpful for managing stress is solution-focused hypnotherapy. Solution-focused hypnotherapy is a short-term, goal-oriented therapy that helps you to identify and achieve your goals. It can be used to help you manage stress, lose weight, and improve your overall health.
Cortisol is Involved in Weight Gain
Cortisol is a hormone that is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. It is also known as the “stress hormone” because it helps your body to respond to stressful situations. Cortisol helps to increase your blood sugar levels, which gives you energy to fight or flee from the stressor.
However, too much cortisol can have negative consequences, including weight gain. Cortisol increases your appetite and makes you crave sugary and fatty foods. It also slows down your metabolism, which makes it harder to burn calories. It also suppresses your immune system, which can lead to long term health issues. As a result, people who are under a lot of stress are more likely to overeat and gain weight.
Our Relationship with Food is Complex
Our relationship with food is complex. It is not simply a matter of hunger and satiety. Food can be used for a variety of purposes, such as comfort, boredom, and stress relief. When we are stressed, we may turn to food for comfort. We may eat sugary or fatty foods because they make us feel good in the moment. However, this can lead to weight gain in the long run.
It is important to find healthy ways to cope with stress. Exercise, relaxation techniques, and therapy can all be helpful.
Adipose (Fatty) Tissue is Bioactive with Stress Hormones
Adipose tissue is not just a passive storage site for fat. It is also an active endocrine organ that produces a variety of hormones, including cortisol. When we are stressed, our bodies release cortisol, which can then be taken up by adipose tissue. This can lead to the release of even more cortisol, creating a vicious cycle.
Cortisol can also have a direct impact on the metabolism of fat cells. It can increase the number of fat cells and the size of existing fat cells. This can make it harder to lose weight and can also increase the risk of developing obesity-related health problems.
How Can Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy Help?
Solution-focused hypnotherapy can help you to break the cycle of stress and weight gain. It can help you to identify and change the negative thoughts and behaviours that are contributing to your weight problem. It can also help you to develop healthy coping mechanisms for stress.
Solution-focused hypnotherapy is a short-term, goal-oriented therapy. It is typically effective within 6-12 sessions. If you are interested in learning more about solution-focused hypnotherapy, please contact me.
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