How are weight loss and mental health linked? 3 steps to manage stress eating  |  Photo Credit: Getty Images
New Delhi: Weight gain is a tricky business to understand. You might be gaining weight and may have no clue why it is happening. You may be following a healthy diet or an exercise routine, and it might not work on your body at all. One key reason for the same could be that you have not figured out the body type you have, and the diet and workout may not work for you. Other factors can include some health issues that may cause weight gain or even mental health issues that can prohibit weight loss.
Mental health issues have repercussions that show on the whole body. From your eyes becoming drowsy and tired if you are unable to sleep, to your body getting really weak because you may not be eating for days, there are more ways than one that mental health affects you. If you are trying to get fit while facing a mental health issue, there are some things that you must understand.
How is mental health linked to weight loss?
Mental health can have a link to weight loss since it has effects on the way we treat our body, and how our body functions work. According to research published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information, when different groups with depression were studied for weight loss results, 12-month improvement or stability in mental health was significantly associated with weight loss. Therefore, it is proven that improved mental health can aid in weight loss.
3 tips to avoid stress eating
Mental health issues can cause you to not eat for days and can also cause you to stress eat – which mostly involves food that we think will boost up our mood like desserts, junk food, etc. In such a case, your weight loss efforts may be sabotaged. Here are 5 tips to manage stress eating, so that when you eat, you eat healthily and eat foods that will actually boost your mood and weight loss.
Keep a track
If you find yourself stress eating too often, keep a track of it by noting it down in a diary or even one of those apps that also tells you how many calories you consumed according to the food and portion you ate. This will help you track how many times do you stress eat, and how many calories do you consume due to it. A realisation will help to keep in under control.
Know what really will boost your mood
Healthy eating and exercise are known to be the best mood-boosters, especially in the long run. Junk food may give you short-lived pleasure but is, in fact, worse for your mental and physical health. Eating foods like dark chocolates, bananas. Green tea and others can help improve your mood and mental health. Yoga and meditation are good ways to lose weight and calm your mind at the same time when it comes to exercise.
Steer away from alcohol and smoking
Alcohol and smoking can be your easy escapes, but they are really harmful if you are going through phases of stress eating, or eating disorders. You should steer clear from such toxic substances, as they will not only make your mental health worse, but might also cause you to stress eat more, and are proven to be harmful to weight management.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.
