Whilst we know that feeling exhausted, tired but wired and having trouble falling or staying asleep are all signs of stress, the following five symptoms may not be ones that you are so familiar with…
Not Feeling Hungry in the Mornings
Stress activates our sympathetic nervous system, part of the body’s stress response system, which signals the body to release adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones are designed to prepare the body for immediate physical action. Adrenaline, in particular, temporarily suppresses the appetite as part of its role in the fight or flight response. If you’re experiencing stress, especially chronic stress, your body may be in a prolonged state of readiness, which can suppress hunger cues, especially in the morning. Additionally, chronic stress can also slow down digestion because the body diverts energy away from non-essential functions, such as digestion when experiencing stress. This can slow down the process of digestion overnight, making you feel less hungry in the morning.
Cravings for Sweet, Salty or Crunchy Foods
High cortisol can heighten your appetite and increase cravings for high-energy foods that are sweet, salty, or fatty, providing a quick energy boost in response to the “fight or flight” stress response. Concurrently, consuming these types of foods activates the brain’s reward system by increasing dopamine levels, a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure, thereby offering temporary relief from stress and discomfort by satisfying cravings for the comforting sensations these foods elicit. Additionally, low cortisol levels and adrenal fatigue can lead to cravings for high sugar and high calorie foods as the body is struggling to make enough energy hormones.
Increased Belly Fat
In addition to the associated weight gain from stress cravings, high cortisol can also lead to increased abdominal or ‘belly’ fat. Cortisol promotes the storage of fat, and it has a more significant effect on visceral fat, the fat that surrounds the internal organs within the abdominal cavity. Visceral fat is more metabolically active than subcutaneous fat (the fat just under the skin), and its increase is associated with a higher risk of metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. High cortisol levels encourage the body to store fat in the abdomen, contributing to the development of visceral fat.
Your Coffee Doesn’t Work Anymore
Consistently high levels of cortisol can cause what we commonly know as ‘adrenal fatigue’ or burnout, where our adrenal glands no longer make sufficient cortisol and/or the cortisol receptors on our cells become desensitised. When this happens we are no longer able to feel the energy boost from coffee or caffeinated drinks and conversely they may make us feel more tired after consumption.
Low (or No) Libido
High levels of cortisol can suppress the body’s production of sex hormones like testosterone, which play a crucial role in driving libido. When high cortisol puts us in fight or flight mode the body senses a ‘perceived threat’ and therefore dials down non-essential functions such as libido and the production of sex hormones. On a psychological level, stress, high cortisol and adrenal fatigue can lead to mental distractions, lack of energy anxiety, and depression, all of which can diminish sexual desire by making it difficult to relax and feel emotionally or physically intimate.
Struggling with stress and anxiety in perimenopause? Check out this Instagram Post to learn more.