The Surprising Thing That's Making You Pack on Belly Fat

Lexi Petronis,Glamour magazine

If your problem area is your tummy, you may think you've tried every option to whittle away fat. But wait, have you considered this surprising advice?

See more:10 Things He's Thinking When You're Naked

"When stress is high, a hormone called cortisol shoots up," write the editors of Women's Health. "And high cortisol levels equal high belly fat." Here's the surprising advice that has nothing to do with exercise or diet: "Take at least 10 to 15 minutes a day to decompress and reduce your cortisol levels, and a flat stomach will be one less thing to worry about."

See more:Swimsuits That Make You Look 10 Pounds Thinner

Some de-stress ideas:
*Take a hot bubble bath with lavender
*Stretch or do yoga poses in silence
*Write each day in a journal
*Sip herbal tea while listening to soothing music (my fave)
*Spend a half hour in bed before falling asleep praying, meditating or just quietly daydreaming

See more:7 Signs of True Love

Have you considered the stress-belly fat connection?


P.S. Eva Longoria cut back on this and lost belly fat. And, the easy ab workout to blast belly fat...

More from Glamour:
50 Things Men Really Want (But Are Afraid to Ask For)
Cute Summer Dresses for Every Occasion (Under $150!)
10 Types of Sex to Try at Least Once
What Your Hair Says About You (According to Guys)