Stress Release May Hold the Key to Weight Loss

Modern city life is filled with unhealthy living habits that put our health at risk. Consumption of readily available high-calorie greasy food, staying up late, the constant presence of noise, and long-term and excessive stress can all affect our physical health. One such consequence can be obesity. For those who suffer from obesity, weight fluctuations can be the most difficult challenge. Clinician Dr. Xiao Lingzi at Taiwan Good Day Clinic said that we must treat ourselves well to lose weight. “You must know your own needs. Consume enough nutrition and get sufficient sleep, and find a way to relieve stress. Then you will realize what you need is relaxation, not indulgence.” Common Misconceptions of Food Intake Xiao stated, “Many patients think they are treating themselves too well when they gain weight and body fat due to food indulgence. Things such as chips and cookies, or sugary boba tea every day, are negative habits, which cause a lot of stress to the body and are risking their health.” The clinician also mentioned that patients’ second most common mistake is lack of discipline. “They thought because they skipped breakfast, they could feast at dinner. Some people would stuff themselves at all-you-can-eat buffets, while others would stay up and binge on Netflix for three nights straight.” The doctor emphasized that when people indulge, they sabotage and push themselves too hard instead of addressing their real needs. Work Stress Can Make Us Fat A 19-year study by the University of London School of Medicine discovered that accumulated work stress is closely tied to obesity. The study analyzed the results of regular questionnaires on work stress among 10,308 respondents between 35 and 55 years old. Compared with participants who have never felt pressure, the likelihood of obesity in participants who experienced “excessive stress” once, twice, and “three times or more” was increased by 17 percent, 24 percent, and 73 percent, respectively. Weight loss Specialist Dr. Xu Jinquan wrote on the Taiwan Lin Heisho Clinic blog that excessive stress reduces serotonin in the human brain and causes anxiety. Break the Cycle Patients would unconsciously choose high-sugar and high-fat foods to de-stress causing a rapid rise in blood sugar. As a result, the brain would feel dopamine-induced pleasure. However, the concentration of blood sugar and dopamine also drops rapidly and affects our constant desire to keep eating, which can lead to obesity, resulting in more stress—a nightmare cycle for those concerned about their weight. To break the vicious cycle of stress, weight gain, and more stress due to weight gain, Xu recommended using a more positive and healthy approach to relieve stress, to allow ourselves to ease into the weight loss journey.

Stress Release May Hold the Key to Weight Loss

Modern city life is filled with unhealthy living habits that put our health at risk. Consumption of readily available high-calorie greasy food, staying up late, the constant presence of noise, and long-term and excessive stress can all affect our physical health. One such consequence can be obesity.

For those who suffer from obesity, weight fluctuations can be the most difficult challenge.

Clinician Dr. Xiao Lingzi at Taiwan Good Day Clinic said that we must treat ourselves well to lose weight. “You must know your own needs. Consume enough nutrition and get sufficient sleep, and find a way to relieve stress. Then you will realize what you need is relaxation, not indulgence.”

Common Misconceptions of Food Intake

Xiao stated, “Many patients think they are treating themselves too well when they gain weight and body fat due to food indulgence. Things such as chips and cookies, or sugary boba tea every day, are negative habits, which cause a lot of stress to the body and are risking their health.”

The clinician also mentioned that patients’ second most common mistake is lack of discipline.

“They thought because they skipped breakfast, they could feast at dinner. Some people would stuff themselves at all-you-can-eat buffets, while others would stay up and binge on Netflix for three nights straight.”

The doctor emphasized that when people indulge, they sabotage and push themselves too hard instead of addressing their real needs.

Work Stress Can Make Us Fat

A 19-year study by the University of London School of Medicine discovered that accumulated work stress is closely tied to obesity.

The study analyzed the results of regular questionnaires on work stress among 10,308 respondents between 35 and 55 years old.

Compared with participants who have never felt pressure, the likelihood of obesity in participants who experienced “excessive stress” once, twice, and “three times or more” was increased by 17 percent, 24 percent, and 73 percent, respectively.

Weight loss Specialist Dr. Xu Jinquan wrote on the Taiwan Lin Heisho Clinic blog that excessive stress reduces serotonin in the human brain and causes anxiety.

Break the Cycle

Patients would unconsciously choose high-sugar and high-fat foods to de-stress causing a rapid rise in blood sugar. As a result, the brain would feel dopamine-induced pleasure.

However, the concentration of blood sugar and dopamine also drops rapidly and affects our constant desire to keep eating, which can lead to obesity, resulting in more stress—a nightmare cycle for those concerned about their weight.

To break the vicious cycle of stress, weight gain, and more stress due to weight gain, Xu recommended using a more positive and healthy approach to relieve stress, to allow ourselves to ease into the weight loss journey.