Stress Relief May Hold the Key to Weight Loss

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Modern city life is filled with unhealthy living habits that put our health at risk. Eating too much readily available high-calorie food, staying up late, being surrounded by constant noise, and experiencing long-term and excessive stress can all affect our physical health. One possible consequence is 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,” Xiao said.

Common Misconceptions of Food Intake

“Many patients think they are treating themselves too well when they gain weight and body fat due to food indulgence,” Xiao said. “But eating things such as chips and cookies, or sugary tea every day, is a negative habit that causes a lot of stress to the body and jeopardizes health.”

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

“They thought because they skipped breakfast, they could feast at dinner,” Xiao said. “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 themselves and create strain 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” 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 brain and causes anxiety.

Break the Cycle

Many people unconsciously choose high-sugar and high-fat foods to de-stress. This causes a rapid rise in blood sugar. As a result, the brain feels dopamine-induced pleasure.

However, the concentration of blood sugar and dopamine also drops rapidly, which in turn triggers the desire to keep eating. This dopamine-sugar rollercoaster 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 recommends using a more positive and healthy approach to relieve stress and thus allow ourselves to ease into the weight loss journey.