Weight Loss Information

Relieve Stress at Your Workplace: It Might Just Help You Manage Your Weight!

Medifast Offer (US) Lose weight with Medifast Diet - Two weeks Free Food Offer

HoodiaMaxx Free Trial
Drop 25 lbs in 25 days - $1 Offer plus S&H.
Buy Hoodia Gordonii at Discount Price
Ready to buy - Discount Offer, Hoodia Gordonii for Weight loss - International Shipping Available.

No doubt about it, when we feel stressed we want to raid the candy machine, or down a pint of ice cream. Of course we feel immediate gratification because of the "feel good" endorphins that are released when we eat something we love but now new research confirms these food urges are caused by more than endorphins.

Elissa Epel, PhD, a health psychology researcher at the University of California at San Francisco explains that when we are stressed a hormone called cortisol is released which can increase our appetite specifically for sweets. Moreover, the more ongoing stress we have on a day to day basis such as a demanding job can lead to cortisol levels being elevated all of the time, and can facilitate the deposit of fat in the deep belly area which is known to increase health risks.

Stress is a fight-or-flight response characterized by increased heart rate, increased breathing, increased blood pressure, and a 300 to 400 percent increase in the amount of blood flowing to our muscles, which prepares us to run or to flight. Unfortunately, in today's world we don't run nor do we flight. Yet the adrenaline and other hormones released during this process leads to a number of symptoms including:

? Anxiety
? Depression
? Excessive anger and hostility
? High blood pressure
? Insomnia (lack of sleep)
? Racing Heart
? Risk factor for heart attacks
? Tiredness

The most common behaviors that people use to cope with the symptoms of stress are:

? Critical attitude towards others
? Overuse of alcohol
? Compulsive eating
? Inability to get things done
? Smoking

As you can see, the most common coping strategies are not exactly healthy or positive choices. One problem is that many of the healthy choices such as exercise, yoga, and meditation aren't easy to do during the workday. What is easy is the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup calling your name every time you pass the vending machine. But wait! There is another choice to relieve stress while at work. Deep breathing can help you to get through the extra stress of the workday.Deep breathing can help you to relax by lowering your blood pressure, slowing your heart rate, and easing muscle tension and the best part is you can do it at your desk. The Mayo Clinic Women's Healthsource offers instructions on how to practice deep breathing.

* Sit in a comfortable chair with feet flat on the floor.

* Close your eyes or focus on an object in the room.

* Inhale slowly through your nose. Visualize your diaphragm moving down to create more room for your lungs to expand.

* Notice your lower abdomen expand as it fills with air

* When your lungs are full, slowly let air out through your mouth.

* Repeat as many times as you need to. Be sure you have cleared your mind of the worry list that was present before.

* When you are ready to end your session, don't jump out of your chair. Slowly bring yourself back into your surroundings.

Practicing deep breathing regularly can provide great health rewards such as reducing anxiety, conserving energy, improving sleep, improving concentration, and relieving muscle tension. Coping with your stress in a healthy manner will help you to avoid the stress-induced temptations of the vending machine so you can manage your health and your weight with success.

© Meri Raffetto, 2005

Meri Raffetto is a Registered Dietitian and a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. She is the owner of Real Living Nutrition Services providing interactive online weight management programs. Sign up for her free monthly nutrition newsletter at http://www.reallivingnutrition.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Health Newstrack

Weight-loss surgery bodes well for pregnancy
Los Angeles Times, CA - Nov 19, 2008
Now researchers have found that obese women who undergo weight-loss surgery before becoming pregnant are less likely to have pregnancy-related health ...
Weight-loss surgery helps with pregnancy: study Reuters
Some Pregnancy-Related Complications Minimized for Women Who Have ... MarketWatch
Go for pre-pregnancy weight loss surgery Times of India
TheMedGuru - U.S. News & World Report
all 58 news articles


LA Weight Loss Announces Closing of Eau Claire Facility
WQOW TV News 18, Eau Claire - 5 hours ago
LA Weight Loss just announced its closing in Eau Claire next Wednesday. When News 18 contacted the corporate offices, they sent us this statement: "We wish ...


Weight loss can cause excess, flabby skin
Tulsa World, OK - 14 hours ago
Dear Reader: First, I would like to congratulate your granddaughter on her astonishing weight loss. Skin is very stretchy and often reshapes as weight is ...


Weight-loss surgery beneficial for both mother and baby
TopNews, Arkansas - 17 hours ago
A recent research showed that weight-loss surgery not only increases the chances of pregnancy but it also reduces the risk of various complications in ...


That Happened!

Weight-loss surgery bodes well for pregnancy
That Happened!, New York - Nov 20, 2008
New York - Researchers have found that weight-loss surgery bodes well for pregnancy. They found that women who had weight loss surgery before becoming ...


Weight Loss Surgery Helps Obese Women Have Healthier Babies
New York Times, United States - Nov 19, 2008
By RONI CARYN RABIN Women who become pregnant after weight-loss surgery have easier pregnancies and healthier babies than do obese women who become pregnant ...


Weight Loss Surgery for Two
Ivanhoe, FL - Nov 19, 2008
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Undergoing bariatric weight loss surgery before becoming pregnant may be the healthiest decision for both mother and baby. ...


News Channel 7

Scale Down Weight Loss To Hold Free Seminar
News Channel 7, SC - Nov 20, 2008
Scale Down Weight Loss Programs will offer a free community seminar on December 4 at The Horizon Center in downtown Spartanburg. ...


PennLive.com

Radio show host inspires with weight loss
PennLive.com, PA - Nov 20, 2008
by ABIGAIL KETCHUM for Body & Mind As the host of WHP-580's morning show, Harris often shared his diet stories with listeners. ...


LETTER: Weight-loss obsession is harmful
Wausau Daily Herald, WI - Nov 20, 2008
What do we have to do to change this weight-loss frenzy into something more realistic, like self acceptance and health at any weight? ...

Weight-Loss - Google News

Weight Loss | Weight Loss Diet | Weight Loss Diet Pills | Weight Loss Blog | Weight Loss Articles | SiteMap
Diet Pills: Diet Pills | Hoodia | Phentermine | Prescription Diet Pills
Diet Plans: Diet Plan | Medifast | High Fiber Diet | High Protein Diet