Post your articles online and promote your website for free! Boost your sites ranking by linking it from the ArticleZap database! Free Article directory and instant translation publishing!
Stress is an ongoing daily reality. Our bodies react to stress with a fight or flight response. The problem is that most of the time we have nothing to fight or flee from. The result is that tension is stored in our body.
A common coping strategy for many is to eat when under stress. What foods do we reach for when we are stressed? We reach for comfort foods—those high in carbohydrates, sugars and fats. Carbohydrates stimulate the production of serotonin, the body’s feel good compound. Thus we achieve some measure of relieve by eating these foods.
For this reason, chronic stress may lead to weight gain. Choosing to use food to sooth raw nerves can contribute to weight problems.
Fortunately there is a better way to manage stress. Relaxation. Our brain is an amazingly powerful tool. Since our reaction to stress is determined in our mind, learning the relaxation response can give us a much healthier way to cope with stress. We can learn to relax regularly, reducing the detrimental effects of stress on our bodies and minds.
Weight loss research has linked anxiety and depression to weight gain, especially in women.
Perhaps learning to relax could help with weight loss or maintenance.
The relaxation response has a great many heath benefits. You will benefit from reduced blood pressure, lower heat rate and breathing rate. Creating an inner calm will reduce the amount of stress-induced hormones and other compounds that remain in your blood. In fact over time with regular relaxation you may find your reaction to daily stress decreases. You can also enjoy a reduction in anxiety and a lifting of depression.
A very simple form of relaxation is all that is needed to reap the benefits. Try the following: Find a quiet, comfortable place, where you will not be interrupted for 5-10 minutes. Sit quietly and take three deep breaths. Now simply slowly repeat the word one, either aloud or in your mind. Let your mind be as still as possible. If stray thoughts enter your mind, don’t worry, just release them.
Take time to completely relax once or twice a day and watch for improvements in your life. Relaxation in conjunction with positive imaging (seeing yourself at your ideal weight) is great way to augment weight loss or maintenance.
