While everyone responds differently to stress and anxiety, there are a number of common results or symptoms that tend to affect many people in this realm. One that’s been particularly noticeable during the past year-plus during the COVID pandemic, especially with so many more people spending greater periods of time at home and inside, is stress-eating and weight gain symptoms that may impact some people who deal with stress, anxiety and even depression.
At Body Balance Massage and Float, we’re happy to provide a number of services that will directly help reduce stress and related symptoms, from massage therapy through the best float therapy services in Orem and other parts of Utah. How do stress and other emotional triggers sometimes create eating and weight issues for those who suffer from them, and how do float therapy and other forms of relaxation therapy benefit those in this position? Here’s a primer.
As those who have dealt with stress for any period of time might already be aware, one of the body’s primary responses to stress or anxiety is the production of the hormone cortisol – the “stress hormone” in some circles. Cortisol creates a few different effects when its levels are raised, and one of these in many people is increasing the craving or desire for sweet, salty or fried foods. This is largely due to the body’s attempt to find a quick shot of energy or pleasure, which is the effect created by elevated levels of cortisol to account for stress.
For some people, this cortisol boost leads to overeating. And in turn, overeating is known to lead to several specific health concerns, including weight gain and obesity, high cholesterol or blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and additional stress or depression.
However, there are ways to interrupt this cycle, and they mostly trace back to limiting this stress in the first place.
Float therapy involves a reduction of external stimuli, and this allows for stress reduction in a few simple ways. First and foremost, it allows the brain to relax itself and create positive thought patterns while in an elevated state, something that’s far more difficult during the normal stresses of a day.
For another, float therapy makes actual chemical changes in the body that help with weight loss. Floating reduces adrenaline, for instance, plus cortisol, lactate and other hormones. Instead, these are replaced with endorphins, which are positive hormones that do not lead to stress-related habits. Float therapy also lowers blood pressure and improves sleep quality, which is vital for reducing stress in many people.
In addition to float therapy, other forms of relaxation may also show major benefits here. Massage therapy and meditation are two of the most well-known, and will often be worked into a daily or weekly routine to limit stress and relax both the body and mind. Speak to our team about the ideal combination of float therapy and other relaxation methods for your situation.
For more on the benefits of float therapy for weight gain and overeating, or to learn about any of our massage therapy or float therapy services in Orem, speak to the staff at Body Balance Massage and Float today.