by M. L. Kiser

Created on: September 02, 2011   Last Updated: April 30, 2012

Did you know that work-related stress can affect your weight?

Whether you believe it or not work-related stress can affect your weight.  Cortisol is a chemical hormone that is secreted by the adrenal glands, into the bloodstream when a person is under stress.  An overabundance of Cortisol can lead to weight gain, among other health problems. 

Many of today’s modern physicians are reluctant to discuss adrenal fatigue, but stressed and overworked adrenal glands can lead to many health problems.  When the adrenals are overworked, Cortisol is secreted. 

Cortisol is important for proper immune functioning, proper glucose metabolism, and regulation of blood pressure, insulin release for blood sugar maintenance and for the inflammatory response.  

Cortisol is called the “stress hormone” because it is secreted in higher levels during the bodies “fight or flight” response.  It is responsible for any stress related alterations within the body. 

While smaller secretions of the hormone produce positive effects such as a boost of energy, better cognitive functioning, immune system boosts, better homeostasis within the body and a lower sensitivity to any pain; the larger secretions can lead to chronic stress. 

Chronic stress because of higher levels of Cortisol cause, impairment of cognitivity, blood sugar imbalances leading to diabetes, less bone density, weight gain and a decrease of muscle tissue.  It also is the cause of suppressed thyroid functioning, an increase in blood pressure or hypertension which leads to heart problems and lowers the body’s immunity and inflammatory responses and slows wound healing.  It can lead to an increase in abdominal fat, leading to heart attack, stroke and even the development of metabolic syndrome.  It increases bad cholesterol (LDL) and lowers good cholesterol (HDL), leading to many other health problems. 

If you are getting yelled at all day long by an irritable or angry boss or customer, if you are overworked or underpaid, if you don’t have the proper equipment or supplies with which to do your job, then you are producing an overabundance of Cortisol because of job stress and your health is at stake. 

It the present economy, although many people are jobless, just looking for a job and getting consistently turned down or not finding one is also leading to more job (jobless) related stress, so you need to find a way to deal with it before it disables you permanently. 

Meditation, visualization, yoga, tai-chi, Pilate's, or simply taking a walk or bike ride can help to relieve you of some of that stress, so get out there and get some exercise and visualize yourself getting the job of your dreams, for your health’s sake.

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