How to Cope With Stress-Induced Appetite Loss

Stress influences hunger hormones

Stress-induced appetite loss is one of the lesser-known impacts of stress, but it’s no less real for this. In this article, we’ll explore how stress impacts appetite loss and what you can do to feel hungry again despite the pressure.

What does stress-induced appetite loss feel like?

Stress-induced appetite loss is unique for every person. Some people experience stress-induced appetite loss when their stress levels are relatively low, while others have a more challenging time eating when they’re under even minor amounts of stress. Suppose you’re not eating due to stress. In that case, it’s also important to know that stress-induced appetite loss is a temporary condition caused by your brain’s misperceptions about your current situation.

How stress influences hunger hormones

Stress activates the release of the hormone cortisol. Research has shown that cortisol is partially responsible for appetite loss caused by stress. Stress also affects your body’s production of hunger hormones like leptin and ghrelin. Ghrelin stimulates your appetite and tells your body when it’s time to eat, while leptin tells your brain that you’ve had enough to eat. When you’re under stress, your body assumes you don’t have the time or energy to expend on eating, reducing the number of hormones like leptin and ghrelin it produces. As a result, you may find that you’re not feeling hungry, even though you know you should be eating.

Tips to cope with stress-induced appetite loss

If you’re struggling with stress-induced appetite loss and want to feel hungry again, there are a few things you can try to get your body back on track:

• Find ways to reduce your stress. When you’re in a relaxed, positive state, you’re more likely to meet with success and find ways to cope with your stress.
• Give yourself time and space to eat without distractions. Eat at a table, not the couch. Turn off the TV and put your phone away. Sit down and enjoy your food — don’t eat while doing other things.
• Go with what you know. If food helps you feel better and makes life easier, it will be much easier to stick with the same routine under stress than if there was no food.

I hope these tips have helped you feel more ready to tackle stress and its effects on your health. Remember that this is a process that takes time, so don’t get discouraged if things aren’t going perfectly right now! When we take care of ourselves physically and mentally (and emotionally), we become stronger individuals able to handle any situation that comes our way.

This article is written by a therapist from Sensera — a self-help app that provides daily CBT audio sessions and exercises. The app helps people deal with a variety of mental issues (anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship problems). Download Sensera now to become happier!