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Writer's pictureAriel Colhoun
3 min read

Stress & Weight Gain

By Ariel Colhoun Passionate about increasing the sphere of influence for women & driving positive change.


If there is one thing we can all relate to, it's stress.


Stress comes in all forms, shapes, and sizes. It can affect us at any point in our lives and can have reoccurring distressing themes. When stress builds up and becomes difficult to manage it can wreak havoc on your body and more long-term health-related consequences can occur. Stress can affect your overall health from your physical to mental and even emotional well-being.


If left untreated, stress can induce the following risks (but not limited to):

  • weight gain

  • headaches

  • depression

  • tight muscles & body pains

  • fatigue & sleep irregularities

  • emotional imbalances & irritability

  • heart disease

  • stroke

  • high blood pressure

  • cancer associations with various types such as breast, colon, kidney, pancreatic, & esophageal


Stress, Hormonal Imbalance & Weight Loss/Gain

Heightened levels of stress can cause hormonal imbalances putting your adrenal glands on overdrive. Stress often goes hand in hand with your weight in general - sometimes when we are stressed we find we cannot eat a thing and we eat less resulting in weight loss (an indicator of low-stress tolerance), but on the opposite extreme, when we are stressed or overwhelmed we tend to eat more, make less healthy food choices, and we neglect our overall well being. When stress takes a toll on your body, your body's natural response is an increase in the levels of cortisol where the cells in your body can become resistant to insulin and in turn, it can lead to an increase in blood sugar, thyroid function, and weight fluctuations.


When it comes to stress-related weight gain, the best thing you can do for you is to go see your doctor. Your doctor will be able to perform the necessary tests, look at your past medical history, review your current situation, rule out other possible issues or concerns, and provide you with the proper treatment, advice, strategies & recommendations such as diet and lifestyle to get you back on track.


Managing Stress

One thing we do know for sure is that stress will always come and go in our lives - it's a given. So learning to manage your stress and make daily healthy choices to mitigate it will help you in the long run.


Here are some tips to help you on your way:

  • Be kind to yourself

  • Practice gratitude - try writing in a journal such as The Five Minute Journal: A Happier You In 5 Minutes a Day

  • Change your mindset with a quick 10-minute walk, stretching exercises, deep breathing or yoga break

  • Get outside & change your scenery

  • Talk to or call a friend or spend time with a pet

  • Listen to music

  • Take a bath

  • Read a book or a magazine

  • Think of something that will bring you to your 'happy place'

  • Make a 'to do' list of all the fun things you want to do in the future

  • Learn to lovingly say no

  • Do something that will make you happy!


The end result? Once you begin to incorporate stress managing routines into daily life, you will begin to overcome and make your stress more manageable. As with all things, we need to consciously make the effort to self-identify our stress triggers and develop coping mechanisms to prevent the negative impacts stress can cause on our bodies.


And remember to 'Let it be'.



All posts are intended strictly for educational purposes. It is not intended to make any representations or warranties about the outcome of any procedure. It is not a substitute for a thorough in-person consultation with a medical professional. If you have questions about your personal medical situation, please call your healthcare provider.

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