Picture this: You are stressed out of your mind when you walk past a mirror and realised you've gained a bit of weight. People don't really realise this but stress doesn't just have an impact on mental health but can have a severe impact on physical health as well. "A rise in cortisol increases the body's desire for sugar so it can feed the muscles to help us run from danger. However, the danger we face today is an angry boss or gridlock on the freeway. Except cortisol still reacts in the same way even though we don't need to run anywhere. In fact, we sit at our desks, so the glucose released by our body to prep the muscles to run gets stored as fat by insulin," says an expert. So, here are some ways for you to avoid gaining weight due to stress.

"Moving your muscles is an effective, instant stress reliever. It actually fools your body into thinking you're escaping the source of your stress," says an expert. Your blood is circulated a lot quicker when you're exercising and this helps get rid of the cortisol levels from your system much faster.

When we're stressed, we tend to consume food in large portions and at a much faster pace because of which we mostly end up overeating. And more food equals more belly fat. So, try to consume food at a normal pace like you usually do and try to concentrate on the flavours and textures to help distract you from the stress.

Picture this: You've just chowed down a bag of potato chips like there is no tomorrow because you are stressed. The next day, you wake up a little calmer regretting your food choice. Good sense and rational thinking tend to go out the window for many. Those stressful moments may cause you to make bad decisions, even tiny ones like unhealthy food choices. It can be hard to think straight when you are not in a good frame of mind. Keeping a list of healthy food options can help you stick to what's good for your body and reduce your calorie intake when you really don't need them.

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As human beings, we are almost hard-wired to look for comfort food in times of stress.Let's face it, a nutritious soup or boiled veggies are not food options that make that list. We want butter, sugar, and excessive amounts of all things that are probably not good for our health. French fries, chocolate cake, and a bag of potato chips are usually what get us excited when we are super stressed. Am I right? The best way to stay clear of these foods is by avoiding a situation that will make you give in to your temptation.

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Regularly practising mindfulness can help you on those stressful days. A great way to reset is to take a moment and a few deep breaths before you stuff your mouth with the wrong foods. This small act can help you make smarter choices in that moment (to chocolate or not to chocolate) so you avoid packing on the pounds because of stress.

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"If you skip meals or wait too long between meals, your body experiences more dips and spikes than it should, and that throws your hormones out of whack," Natasha Turner, founder of Clear Medicine Wellness Boutique, told a news portal. Adding, "Specifically, waiting too long to eat between meals causes a blood sugar drop, which triggers a stress response in your body, which in turn releases cortisol and causes your energy to crash hard." Skipping meals may also cause you to binge eat more, which is definitely not in keeping with your weight loss goals.

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Consume a good amount of protein with every meal. "Taking in a steady supply of protein throughout the day is important because it boosts the hormones that help us burn fat and those that control our appetite and make us feel full," Natasha Turner, founder of Clear Medicine Wellness Boutique, told a news portal.

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Many people believe consuming carbs in the morning can help you burn them off throughout the day. However, some experts say this strategy could make you want to eat more carbs. Natasha Turner, the founder of Clear Medicine Wellness Boutique, recommends consuming starchy carbs with only one meal in your day.Quinoa, sweet potatoes, and yucca are certain foods you can try.

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More and more research is shedding light on the immense benefits of sleep. Sleep can also help tackle belly fat due to stress. This is because sleep can lower cortisol level and produce hormones that support healthy muscle mass. Insufficient sleep also makes you want to eat more sweet foods. Try and sleep for about seven to eight hours every night. A 2014 study published in the journal Diabetes claims sleeping nude in cool temperatures may help you burn calories.

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