Stress
Indeed most of you may have heard about the term “stress eating.” However, people cope with stress differently, one of which is reaching out for food, specifically junk food. Our body deals with stress through the release of a steroid known as cortisol. When a person faces a high-stress situation, cortisol is released, affecting a person’s metabolism. So, when people reach out for food as a source of comfort in a stressful situation, the cortisol released affects the body’s metabolism, allowing the excess calories to settle around the belly.
Poor Sleep Pattern
What most people today do not understand is the value of quality sleep. Today’s world barely sleeps; while some ignore rest due to high-stress jobs, others adopt poor sleep patterns to sit in front of their phones and laptops. A study conducted in 2013 has linked poor sleep patterns to be the cause of excessive belly fat. Irregular sleep patterns also affect a person’s eating habits. Other significant effects of poor sleep habits are emotional eating, unhealthy eating habits, and poor motor connectivity.
Smoking
There is little research or proof to show the link between smoking and obesity; however, scientists believe risks and potential ties to the two. A 2012 study showed that although the obesity levels between smokers and non-smokers were relatively the same, smokers did have a higher level of belly and visceral fat.
Conclusion
Keeping these habits in check and improving your daily pattern will improve conditions. Of course, you can do a lot to lose belly fat, adopt good practices such as improving your diet, regular exercise, cutting back on alcohol, and so much more. But for starters, here are seven habits that you can work on eliminating today.
