Episode #165 - Stress Part 1: Busy Lives and Stress Eating
Nov 06, 2024
Welcome to the first episode of our special two-part series for Stress Awareness Week. Today, we’re exploring the powerful influence of stress on our bodies, minds, and emotional well-being—and how it can show up in unexpected ways, especially in our relationship with food and weight. Stress can drive emotional eating, impact mood, and challenge health, often creating a cycle that feels difficult to break. In part one, we’ll uncover the science behind stress and discuss how it shapes cravings, hunger, and eating habits. Join us as we start this journey toward understanding stress, its effects, and ways to make empowered choices.
What you'll learn from this episode:
- The Basics of Stress
An understanding of what stress is, both physiologically and psychologically, and why our bodies are wired to respond to it. - The Fight-or-Flight Response
How stress activates the "fight-or-flight" response, releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, and preparing the body for immediate action. - How Cortisol Impacts Weight
Why cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, can lead to weight gain, particularly around the midsection, when stress becomes chronic. - The Role of Hormones in Stress Eating
Insights into how stress hormones influence cravings and appetite, often driving a preference for high-calorie, sugary, or fatty foods. - The Feedback Loop Between Mind and Body
How psychological stress triggers physical responses, and vice versa, creating a cycle that impacts mood, health, and resilience. - Why Stress Can Lead to Emotional Eating
The psychological reasons stress often drives us to eat for comfort, even when we’re not physically hungry. - The Hidden Toll of Chronic Stress
The impact of ongoing stress on sleep, digestion, mood, and immune health, and how this can intensify feelings of vulnerability and exhaustion. - Recognising Small Stress Signals
How to identify subtle signs that stress is building up—like muscle twitches or tension—as an opportunity to address it before it becomes overwhelming.
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