Holiday stress can make you fat

During the holidays, it can be all too easy to overeat. But there's more at play when it comes to packing on pounds this time of year. Another holiday tradition that can affect your weight is stress.

Here are some important things to know about your body's response to stress:

Stress Hormones

We all have a built-in stress response. It's a complicated set of physiological reactions that help keep you alive during dangerous situations.

Here's how it's supposed to work:

You experience an acute stressor. Thousands of years ago, this could have been a tiger trying to eat you. Today, it could be the in-laws coming to stay with you over the holidays. In response, adrenal glands release the stress hormone cortisol into your bloodstream, initiating an increase in blood sugar used for immediate energy to fight, run or slam on your car brakes.

Once the stressor is dealt with, the cortisol leaves your system and things return to their normal metabolic state. But unfortunately today, many of us are constantly stressed, causing significant metabolic imbalances.

Chronic Stress

From when we wake up to when we go to bed, the average person deals with hundreds of low-grade stressful events, like rush-hour traffic, projects with impossible deadlines, and troubles with kids, spouses or pets.

According to Michael A. Smith, MD, host of Healthy Talk on RadioMD.com, and senior health scientist with the Life Extension Foundation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this state of affairs is chronically elevating cortisol levels, which means blood sugar is constantly being mobilised for energy.

"And when you don't burn the sugar, it gets stored as body fat," says Dr. Smith. "This is just one of the metabolic imbalances caused by too much cortisol. There are many other problems caused by chronic stress that can pack on the fat."

For example, too much cortisol, which results in a drop in serotonin, can drive sugar cravings and significantly increase appetite.

Solutions

New research shows that white kidney beans can suppress appetite. So if you're craving a snack, have a serving of kidney beans instead of reaching for holiday leftovers or a bag of potato chips.

Feeling tense? Try some stress reduction activities like jogging, meditation or breathing exercises.

Also, consider adaptogenic herbs, which have long been used for their mood-balancing and stress-reducing effects. For example, a number of clinical trials demonstrate that repeated administration of rhodiola extract exerts energising effects that increase mental focus.

You may not be able to stop your in-laws from visiting, but understanding how stress affects your body can help you prevent weight gain this holiday season.

StatePoint Media; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com

Decide to dominate in the bedroom

When it comes to getting hot and heavy between the sheets, guys definitely need directions.

According to Marshall Miller, co-author of I Love Female Orgasm: An Extraordinary Orgasm Guide,
men are dying to know what women really want, but some are afraid that
asking will be a sign of sexual inexperience or weakness.

"Most
guys make sure that if they're getting some, they're going to get off,"
noted co-author Dorian Solot. "They arrange things and move their bodies
in a way that's just right for them."

By comparison, she added, women often lie back and think, "I hope [he] gives me an orgasm tonight!"

What do the sexperts advise?

Know thyself. Women with satisfying sex lives know their bodies. They say what they need ... and reach down and help when necessary.

Give him props. Sugar-coat
your requests with compliments, like telling him how good it feels when
he does something while throwing in how you like it when he caresses
one of your favourite erogenous spots.

Show, don't tell. Sometimes
it's better to nix the chatter and let your body do the talking. Move
your body or your partner's hand to initiate what you want. Most of the
time, he'll get the picture right away. If he's reluctant or confused,
that's when you should talk.

Sound it out. Your sighs and moans when he is doing something you love are the best reward and will tell him what he should keep doing.