We’ve talked countless times about the impact of stress on weight gain and loss.
It’s not just the physiological impact though.
Lots not just the effect that stress levels can have on production of and sensitivity to hormones likes cortisol.
Just as big a factor, if not bigger, is how easy we find it to do things outside of our comfort zone when we feel stressed.
Pretty much everyone we talk to says they find it relatively easy to eat healthily and exercise when everything else in their life is easy.
If they have time of work for example.
Time available is a factor, sure.
But it doesn’t take any more or less time to buy and eat healthy food then unhealthy food does it?
If you make the right choices, of course.
When we have stresses running round our head we sink back into the habits we find the easiest.
The path of least resistance.
Homo Sapiens to Homer Simpson in the blink of an eye.
Picking up the crisps, chocolate and bottle of wine from the corner shop when the meat, veg, fruit, nuts, etc are only feet away.
Missing the planned workout but still having time for EastEnders, Corrie, TOWIE, etc.
So, what’s the answer?
There’s two.
- Plan and systemise to make everything you need to do as easy as possible.
Online shop so all you have in the house is healthy.
Batch, outsource, automate or eliminate some of the things you need to do so they stress you less.
Make appointments – plan to meet a friend for a workout, so you’re less likely to leave it at the last minute.
Talk – actually talk – to people who affect your stress levels and work out better approaches. Bosses, colleagues, partners, kids, etc.
- Do stuff that minimises those stress levels
A workout, some yoga, a bit of meditation, a nice bath, etc.
And, over time, the things you need to do will just become your new habits.
Your new modus operandi – stressed or not!
Much love,
Jon ‘Nelson Muntz’ Hall and Matt ‘Otto Mann’ Nicholson
