Cortisol Release: Stress triggers cortisol production, which can lead to increased appetite and cravings.

Emotional Eating: Stress often leads to emotional eating, especially of high-calorie comfort foods.

Poor Food Choices: Stressed individuals may opt for unhealthy, convenient foods instead of nutritious options.

Disrupted Sleep: Stress can cause sleep disturbances, impacting metabolism and appetite regulation.

Reduced Physical Activity: High stress levels may decrease motivation for exercise and physical activity.

Hormonal Imbalance: Chronic stress can disrupt hormones responsible for metabolism and fat storage.

Less Time for Self-Care: Stressful lifestyles may leave less time for meal planning and healthy cooking.

Mindless Eating: Stress can lead to mindless eating and not paying attention to portion sizes.

Slower Metabolism: Stress-induced hormonal changes can slow down the body's metabolism.

Stress-Related Weight Gain: Some people gain weight directly due to stress, making weight loss more challenging.