Coach Meika Says: Stress is Making You Fat

When you are stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. While cortisol is used by your body for many other things including helping to regulate metabolism and blood pressure, too much can impair cognitive function, decrease muscle tissue and suppress thyroid function.   

The biggest caveat with too much cortisol is the increase in abdominal fat. This fat is much more dangerous than other forms because of its direct connection to heart attacks, strokes and the development of metabolic syndrome.   

 Stress Busters:

 * Laughter: Pop in a great comedy and feel the stress melt away.

 * Yoga (check out Yoga at Fit Neighborhood on Saturdays at 9:30AM)

 * Meditation and/or prayer : Quiet time to recenter yourself will help balance your emotions. 

 * Exercise!

 * Bubble Bath : (Calgon, take me away!) 

 * Remember the Serenity Prayer:

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.