One-third of all Americans are living with extreme stress according to a recent national survey. Nearly half of all Americans believe their stress levels have increased over the last five years. Stress is usually considered to be mental/emotional or physical from trauma or repetitive motion. There are stressors in the environment that include toxins in our air,  food and water, deficiencies in our food, electromagnetic radiation from cell phones, microwaves, computers etc., and chemical sensitivities.  These stressors are having a negative impact on overall health.

Stress has a cumulative effect on the body. This increasing stress is having a negative impact on sleep habits. A majority of adults (63%) do not sleep the recommended eight hours per night. Eight hours of sleep nightly is needed for good health and optimum performance, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

Research shows that Americans have cut their sleep time by 1-2 hours a night over the past 40 years. This trend towards more stress and less sleep coincides with Americans becoming heavier each year. It is no surprise then that recent research has found both stress and sleep to be correlated with weight gain.

During sleep the body regenerates and repairs itself. Less than eight hours of sleep adversely affects hormone levels. The brain interprets the hormonal change as a sign of starvation, resulting in hunger. As appetite increases the body also burns fewer calories to conserve energy. This is where the storage of fat occurs. The body will store calories as fat to create future energy reserves to prevent future starvation.

Where and how you sleep can also have an effect on the body. Sleeping on the couch, on a mattress that is too soft, too hard or uncomfortable also contributes to stress. Failure to properly support the head and neck can create physical stress on the body. The body does not need additional stress when it is sleeping. Sleep is the time that the body is supposed to recover from stress. When the body experiences more stress during sleep, the body does not rest well. Some of the signs of a stressed body are inability to sleep well, waking up tired, cravings for sugar and/or stimulants, unwanted weight gain, moodiness, memory issues, and an inability to handle daily living.

What can you do?

Disclaimer: The recommendations in this article are not to be taken as medical advice. Please consult a qualified health care practitioner to obtain your own stress and/or hormone evaluation, and for specific recommendations on your personal health issues.