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Stress is an inevitableand necessarypart of our lives.

It can prompt you to take action, crush a deadline and make things happen.

But sometimes that stress doesnt let up, and its something that you begin to live with regularly.

a photo of a hand holding and crushing a donut

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Chronic stress can wreak havoc on health, contributing to weight gain and elevated blood sugar.

What exactly is going onand what can you do about it?

Stress can play a role in weight gain from multiple angles.

Then, theres the effect stress has on what you eat.

Stress eating, meaning eating to soothe your emotions, is a real thing.

This process can itself cause stress.

Stress eating can make you feel out of control around food, says Twigge.

Chronic Stress and Weight Gain

Weight gain is complex.

Stress may have a spot on that list, too.

Still, everyones response to stress is individualized.

Were you more likely to want carrot sticks or cookies?

Start with a few areas in your life and make changes gradually and steadily.

EatingWell.com, May 2024

National Center For Complementary and Alternative Medicine.Stress,

MedlinePlus.Cortisol Test.