Know How Anxiety Can Trigger Weight Loss

Are you experiencing sleepless nights with a racing heartbeat? Beware it may lead to weight loss. We all want to lose weight, but when it comes at the cost of our health, then it is alarming. Anxiety is common in urban living and is often associated with a whirlwind of negative physical symptoms like fast heart rate, sleepless nights, and loss of appetite. While unwanted weight gain is a more common concern related to stress, unexpected weight loss can be just as concerning. 

Let’s take a closer look at the reasons why anxiety might be causing the numbers on the weighing machine to dip and explore ways to navigate this complex issue.

1. Hormonal Shifts: This is a response our body usually has against a threat, in our case, it could be stress. Our body gives out adrenaline and cortisol hormones, which are the warriors that prepare us for action. This is called the “Fight-or-Flight Response,” where adrenaline increases our heart rate and breathing while cortisol mobilizes stored energy for a potential escape. This hormonal shift can lead to a faster metabolism, where our body burns calories quickly. Yes, you heard me: we crave to burn those unwanted calories, but anxiety is chronic and can lead to unhealthy weight loss. This can give rise to other forms of diseases.
2. Loss of Appetite and Digestive Issues: Anxiety can create havoc on your appetite. The constant thoughts of worry can replace the thought of eating. To make the situation worse,  physical symptoms like an upset stomach or lethargy, which are common with anxiety, can further decrease your desire to eat and make it difficult to keep interest in food. 
3. Changes in Sleep Patterns: Anxiety can drastically alter your daily sleep routines. The constant thought of tension keeps you awake and releases more cortisol into the body. Since cortisol is a stress hormone, our poor body is forced to work harder. It uses all the left calories and results in unexpected weight loss in a short period. 
4. Increased Physical Activity: It has been noticed that people with anxiety have an urge to constantly move their body. People with stress symptoms feel nervous and thus constantly shake their legs or feel like walking around the place. This unintentional increase in physical movement can contribute to burning additional calories.

What to do When Anxiety Triggers Weight Loss?

If you’re experiencing unexpected weight loss and suspect anxiety might be a contributing factor, it’s crucial to address the root cause. Here are some steps you can take:

• Do Yoga or Exercise: Getting involved in practices like yoga or exercise can combat stress hormones. You will feel more relaxed and happy and will gain an appetite. This is also a good way to shed some calories after all. 
• Maintain a Regular Eating Schedule: Even if you don’t feel like eating anything, try to eat small, frequent meals and healthy snacks throughout the day. This will help your body to balance the lost nutrients. 
• Maintain a Good Sleeping Routine: Good sleep can solve many problems. Try to make a good schedule for your sleep and follow it. 
• Increased Intake of Healthy Foods: Avoid junk or processed food and focus on a nutritious intake of vitamins, minerals, and protein to nourish your body and support overall health. 
• Stay Hydrated: Water has solutions for many of our problems related to the body. Dehydration can exacerbate anxiety and worsen digestive issues. Aim to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Seek Medical Support: It is always best to seek support from doctors who are expert advisers in situations like these. Consulting a therapy for stress management could be a good idea if you are not able to cope with the situation. 

Conclusion 

We all dream of losing unwanted calories but it is important to ensure it’s happening in the right manner. If stress is the driving force behind your being slim, then it can be a concerning issue. By making some conscious efforts towards diets and maintaining a good sleeping routine, you can fight the stress and weight loss issues. With the right support and a focus on overall well-being, you can break the cycle and find a healthy balance for both your mind and body.