When chronic stress occurs, the adrenal glands release stress hormones in large amounts. Elevated stress hormones may lead to excess body fat in several ways. First, they are a potent signal to the brain to increase our appetites and cravings for pleasurable foods, or "comfort foods" such as sugar, fat, and alcohol. Second, these hormones act as a signal to our fat cells to hold onto as much fat and release as little stored fat as they can. Next, they block the effects of many hormones such as insulin, so blood sugar control suffers and comfort food cravings go up. Stress hormones can also interfere with serotonin, one of our brain's mood chemicals, leading to a depressed feeling and a drive for more comfort foods. Plus these hormones interfere with the hormone known as growth hormone resulting in muscle loss and fat gain. Lastly, sustained stress hormone elevation can lower thyroid function and that means that your metabolism gets turned down.

All of these effects can combine to cause our bodies to take in more calories and burn off fewer calories — so we gain weight — and we tend to gain it specifically around our bellies (which increases our risk for hypertension, diabetes and heart disease).

To decrease stress and stress related weight gain, you need to learn to manage your stress levels. Exercise, use meditation or have a quiet place to retreat to when you're stressed out. Eating a diet that's low in refined sugars or that have a low glycemic index helps decrease the stress of blood sugar fluctuations on our bodies. Eat meals at regular times each day (it's best not to eat after 7pm). Drinking plenty of quality water during the day also helps decrease the fatigue commonly seen around mid-day and early afternoon.