Want to get rid of stress belly? 6 things you can do to reduce abdominal fat, boost weight loss

Sometimes, it’s obvious to have stress, even everyone experiences stress from time to time. But what if that stress is prolonged?

As per the study, prolonged stress can cause a variety of physical and mental health problems. It can also lead to unwanted weight gain, especially around the middle.

As per the research, stress can cause excess abdominal fat in otherwise lean women, which is also known as stress belly, and a way to describe how stress and stress hormones affect your belly. Abdominal fat, however, is linked with serious health issues, including a greater risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and breathing problems. The good news is, there’s a lot you can do to get rid of stress belly or boost your weight loss.

Let’s understand stress belly more clearly

Basically, stress belly is not a medical diagnosis, it’s a way of describing how stress and stress hormones can affect your weight, especially your belly. For instance, higher levels of cortisol is the primary stress hormone and have been associated with abdominal obesity. This crucial hormone produced in the adrenal gland also helps with blood sugar control, metabolism and many other functions in the body. Cortisol, along with other hormones like adrenaline, is a part of the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response that occurs when faced with a crisis.

However, the study states that raised cortisol levels is directly linked to weight gain and abdominal obesity

Though, it may be noted that not all people with obesity have high cortisol levels, since genetics may play a role in glucocorticoid sensitivity.

How can you treat or lose stress belly?

1. Eat a balanced diet: Adopt a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. A healthy diet can help you reach or maintain weight.

2. Reduce total calories: Avoid food items that are high in calories with little to no nutrition. Avoid added fructose and hydrogenated vegetable oils. Also, avoid or drink alcohol in moderation (if you do drink) – this is important because alcoholic beverages are high in calories.

3. Quit smoking: Studies have revealed that smoking cigarettes is a risk factor for abdominal obesity as well as several other health concerns. So, if you do smoke, then you should quit smoking as it can significantly reduce belly fat while also improving overall health.

4. Get enough sleep: It is prominent to note that getting quality sleep is essential if you’re trying to shed pounds. Research has revealed that adults who sleep six hours or more than 9 hours tend to have more visceral fat.