Stress and Belly Fat - Dealing With Stress and Belly Fat

Stress and belly fat go hand in hand. They are two very powerful enemies, when trying to lose weight. In fact, they can cause each other serious damage. This is because stress and belly fat are often strongly connected, and you can see that if you have excess stress in your life then you are also likely to have excess belly fat.

This in-turn leads to an increase in belly fat mass and stress levels. SOLUTION: First, what would be advisable is to obtain good quality sleep in order to bring cortisol and belly fat back into balance. This can easily be done by avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol.

Secondly, many people have found that exercising can help control the increase of cortisol and also aid in the reduction of belly fat. Cardiovascular exercise has been proven to reduce blood sugar levels. As a direct result, the production of belly fat is reduced and so the levels of insulin resistance are reduced.

Insulin resistance is what plays a major role in the development of belly fat. This means that when the body fails to burn up the fat cells, they begin to accumulate. This usually happens due to the release of a hormone called cortisol, which is secreted by the adrenal glands. The cortisol is secreted as a response to the stimulation of the 'fight or flight' hormones released in the human brain during situations of stress and danger.

The most common stressors that are known to increase the level of cortisol are deadlines, job insecurity, financial difficulties and personal relationships. However, there are other causes of this hormone. They include genetics, stress and the presence of other toxins around us.

Unfortunately, our modern day diet consists of a lot of refined carbohydrates and sugars. These kinds of foods will convert into sugar in the blood stream, causing an elevated level of glucose. It's this high level of sugar in the blood that stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin. Unfortunately, insulin is not a good defense against chronic stress because it tends to leave us hungrier than before and stimulates the storage of more body fat.

A healthy diet consisting of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables along with the recommended levels of exercise will not only help keep us healthy, but help us lose weight too. But if we don't get enough sleep, we may also suffer from adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue is characterized by fatigue, palpitations, headache, nausea, dizziness, anxiety and stress. Many people may actually experience low energy levels, weight gain and depression. It is often caused by cortisol levels that are higher during times of stress and chronic stress may cause inflammation.

The easiest way to deal with stress and cortisol levels naturally is through quality sleep. To ensure you get plenty of quality sleep each night, set a bedtime for yourself. And ensure you get enough sleep by getting up at the same time in the morning and keeping to your bedtime schedule. You may also want to consider taking melatonin, a hormone that regulates cortisol levels. Melatonin has been shown to help us feel calm and well rested.

Avoid eating fast food and sugary foods. Eat slow, be more selective with your food choices, chew your food thoroughly and avoid overeating. One of the best ways to deal with stress and cortisol is to eat lots of complex carbohydrates and complex protein foods such as fish, beans, nuts and eggs. Avoid eating foods that are high in fat storage such as chips, candy and fries.

By simply sleeping more each night, you can get rid of the excess stress and fatigue that have accumulated over time. Studies have shown that melatonin hormone levels decrease during times of stress and chronic stress. If you do not get enough sleep, it becomes difficult to restore your body back to a normal state.

There are things we can do to help reduce stress and cortisol levels. Exercise daily, take a walk or swim. Eat a healthy diet. Keep stress and cortisol at bay by learning how to identify the source of your stress and overcoming it. You can do this with a little discipline and help from your adrenal glands.