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Stress Can Give You Much More Than A Headache
By Christina | August 6, 2009
It’s bad enough that the stress in our life is killing us mentally. But, new research shows that excess stress can be a killer physiologically as well. Studies done with monkeys have shown that when monkeys, who were given identical diets, were placed in dominant and subordinate social structures, the monkeys that were subordinate and placed in stressful social situations were fatter than their non-stressed counterparts. Even more interesting, the fat was localized to the abdomen.
Waist size is now thought to be the greatest indicator of future health problems for people who are overweight. It is not necessarily as important how many pounds overweight you are, but where the fat is located in your body that is the determining factor to overall health. Abdominal fat, in particular, poses the most problems because the fat deposits in the abdomen lead to plaque build-up in the arteries which leads to heart disease.
The fact that research now shows that excess stress is a direct contributor to abdominal fat is disturbing because this is yet another factor in our lives that we need to manage in order to ensure good health and longevity. The truth is that managing stress is a critical ingredient in being able to lose weight, too. Eating well, exercising regularly, and managing stress are a winning combination for fighting the battle of the bulge and warding off a host of diseases.
Think about it. When your life is out of control, ie. stressful, you are much more likely to emotionally binge eat and neglect to exercise your body and/or your mind. Total wellness is a package deal. It is not enough to just watch your diet while at the same time neglecting your physical and emotional health.
The good news with this research is that it provides a mandate that we must proactively do something to alleviate the stress in our lives. Yoga, meditation, and exercise in general are the best stress relievers around. Exercise releases endorphins which give you a natural emotional boost. Yoga and meditation are also an excellent way to form a mind/body connection which is a powerful way to assist you in letting go of the toxic emotions that are poisoning your body.
People are much more likely to pay attention to the toll stress is taking on their bodies if it is determined that it can lead to disease or even an earlier death. Melissa Etheridge was quoted once when she was battling cancer, a couple of years ago, that one of the upsides of cancer was that she was forced to rid herself of all of the toxicity in her life. Foods that were toxic. Relationships that were toxic. Behaviors that were toxic. Stress is the ultimate toxin. It depletes your body of all that is good and fills your body with despair. Now we know, it will even make us fat.
Eat right, exercise as often as you can, and breathe deeply. This is the prescription to fill for long lasting health and well-being. Namaste.
Topics: Nutrition, Personal Training |
