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Halloween and the Scary Connection Between Fear, Weight, and Your Autoimmune Disease [Transcript/Blog]

Halloween, a time of ghouls, ghosts, and all things spooky, has evolved into a month-long celebration of fear. It’s a season filled with haunted houses, horror movies, and eerie decorations. While many enjoy the thrill of fear, it’s essential to recognize its impact on our well-being, particularly if you’re dealing with an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s.

Fear as a Month-Long Celebration

In recent years, Halloween has grown into a month-long event. It seems like everywhere you look, there are things designed to increase your fear which is a form of stress. Whether it’s the spine-tingling horror movies, elaborate haunted houses, or chilling tales, the celebration of fear has become a pervasive part of October. But what’s the connection between fear and your health?

Stress and Its Effects on Weight

Stress is a powerful force that can influence various aspects of our health, including our weight. When we experience fear or stress, our bodies respond by releasing adrenaline. One of the things adrenaline does is trigger the release of stored glucose from our muscles. This physiological response is designed to prepare us for a “fight or flight” situation. If we don’t use this extra glucose (by running away from the source of fear), it can end up being stored in our fat cells.

In simple terms, stress can lead to weight gain. So, the month-long celebration of fear during October might be contributing to your struggles with weight.

Stress and Its Role in Autoimmune Disease

Stress is more than just a contributor to weight gain; it’s also a prevalent root cause of autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s. If you’re working on addressing the root causes of your condition, stress is an area that deserves your attention.

October can be a challenging month for those who want to minimize stress in their lives. The constant exposure to fear-inducing content can be overwhelming. If you’re a fan of scary movies, horror books, or haunted houses, it might be a good time to consider making some changes for the sake of your health.

Note: Even if you LIKE the scary experience, your brain and body don’t know the difference and treat that fear/stress as they would any other stressor. I’ve had to stop reading the books I most love to lower my stress levels. I miss them, but I value my health more. How about you?

Halloween vs Autoimmune. Time to Opt Out?

As Halloween approaches and the celebration of fear continues, it’s crucial to be aware of how stress affects our bodies. For those with autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s, managing stress is a key part of the healing journey. While it might be tempting to immerse yourself in all things spooky, consider the impact it has on your well-being.

This October, you can choose not to participate in fear as much as possible. Even if you enjoy scary things, prioritizing your overall health might mean opting out of watching those terrifying movies, reading horror novels, or visiting those spine-tingling haunted houses. By making these choices, you can support your body and mind on your path to wellness.

Remember, your health should always be a top priority, even during the spookiest month of the year.

Images used in this post include those by Vino Li and Branimir Balogović and Szabó János on Unsplash