SA Weightloss Hypnosis

Stress is a common part of life that affects us all in some way. It’s the body's natural response when it comes to challenging situations. When we have stressors in our life, which can be caused by what's going on around us, as well as our own internal stress, our body kicks into gear, activating the fight-or-flight response. This releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol to help us deal with the perceived threat or challenge… 

While a certain amount of stress can be helpful in motivating us into action, chronic or long-term stress takes a toll on both the body and mind. Ongoing stress disrupts nearly every system in the body, from energy levels and digestion to immunity and weight, so learning to identify and manage stress is crucial for overall health and well-being.

So, What is Stress?

Stress is your body's way of responding to any kind of demand or threat. When you sense danger—whether it's real or imagined—the body's defences kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight” reaction or the “stress response.” 

The stress response is the body's way of protecting you.

Common causes of stress include work, relationships, finances, major life changes, and traumatic events, which can be triggered by our environment, our thoughts, emotions, and how our body functions in general. 

How Stress Affects the Body

When we experience stress, our body reacts by releasing the hormones' adrenaline & cortisol. This has widespread effects throughout the body:

- Cortisol increases blood sugar levels to provide the body with more energy. However, over time, elevated cortisol can lead to increased appetite and cravings, especially for comfort foods high in sugar and fat.

- Stress negatively impacts the digestive system. Cortisol decreases blood flow and movement in the digestive tract, slowing down digestion. This can lead to issues like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and nausea. Severe stress may even cause or worsen gastrointestinal issues like IBS or ulcers.

- The immune system is weakened by stress. Cortisol and other stress hormones suppress the immune system, making us more susceptible to colds, flu and other illnesses during stressful times. This is why we often get sick after periods of high stress - particularly when we go on holidays after a stressful period!

- Stress takes a toll on the cardiovascular system. It causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Cortisol also promotes inflammation and blood clotting. Over time, chronic stress contributes to heart disease and high blood pressure. It's been shown to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

How Stress Affects the Mind

Stress can have significant impacts on mental health and cognitive function. It can impair memory and concentration, making it difficult to focus or retain information. Chronic stress contributes to anxiety and depression by keeping the body in a constant state of high alert. 

When we are not thinking straight, our memory is poor & we are constantly in a low mood, there is inevitably a cost to relationships, and overall quality of life. Finding ways to manage stress protects both our mental & physical health. Relaxation techniques like meditation or Hypnosis are scientifically proven to be the quickest and most effective form of stress relief above any kind of medication. 

The Stress and Metabolism Connection

So, we know that chronic low grade stress produces an abundance of chemicals, like cortisol. When this chemical is elevated for long periods of time, it can wreak havoc on our metabolism in several ways:

- Cortisol increases appetite and cravings. The body thinks it needs extra energy to deal with stress, so cortisol stimulates hunger signals in the brain, so we naturally crave high-calorie comfort foods.

- Cortisol impacts fat storage. Excess cortisol encourages fat storage, particularly around the midsection. This is due to metabolic changes that make the body prone to store fat rather than burn it.  

- Cortisol contributes to weight gain. With increased appetite, cravings and fat storage, chronic stress is a recipe for weight gain over time. Those who struggle with high stress often have difficulty losing weight for this reason.

Managing Stress to Improve Health

Stress management is critical for overall health and well-being.  The right support can help you to manage stress before it leads to more serious mental or physical health challenges. Don't wait to get help if stress is significantly impacting your life.

Contact me HERE for a FREE 30min Chat to find out how I can help.