The Stress-Weight Connection

Stress doesn’t just affect your mood—it impacts your body’s chemistry in ways that directly influence weight.

Here’s how:

Chronic stress increases cortisol levels—your “survival hormone.”
Elevated cortisol can lead to belly fat storage, sugar cravings, and disrupted sleep.
Disrupted sleep can affect various hormones that regulate appetite.
Leptin-the hormone that supports us in feeling satiated-gets reduced
Ghrelin-our hunger hormone-gets increased.
Increased cortisol levels from chronic stress can lead to metabolism changes, increase in appetite and a propensity to use food as a coping tool.

But here’s the good news:

When you calm your mind, the body follows.

When we reduce stress, we quiet cravings, improve digestion, and support natural weight release.

It’s not forced through restricted dieting and doesn’t feel stressful because you’re not obsessing over what to eat, what not to eat, how much to exercise, etc.

Weight comes off much more easily because the body is functioning better without all the stress and anxiety.

It’s all about being mindful and kind to yourself.

Isn’t it time to take the time and find ways to de-stress?

Here are some simple Tools to Start Releasing Stress Today:

Take a Breathing Break: Try this version of my “Calming Breath”

Breath in for a count of 4; pause briefly, then exhale slowly out for a count of 8
This type of breathing interrupts the stress cycle.
Do this 2-3 times every 30 minutes during your day.

Reframe Your Self Talk:

Replace:
“I have to lose weight” with
“I want to feel lighter in body and mind.”

Hydrate & Nourish: Calm stress with real nourishment—water, whole foods, rest.

Getting the proper nutrition supports your body in feeling good and functioning optimally, which has you naturally feeling more calm and grounded.

Visualize Release: Imagine stress melting away like fog in the morning sun.

Take a few minutes to practice this, and it’ll become natural to do:
Use the Calming Breath for 1-2 minutes.
Then, using your imagination: see, feel, sense, imagine, all your worries, stresses, anxieties…just melting away from you.

Notice how you feel.

These easy tools are a great way to jump start your health and well being this month as you focus on YOUR best healthiest self in mind, body and spirit!

Have fun with them!

Comment below!

If you want more….

We Can Take This Deeper!

If you’re tired of chasing quick fixes…