Less stress may lead to decrease in weight

Buddha may have been a vegetarian or, say some disciples, he may have eaten whatever he was offered, including vegetables, fruit and meats. But his eating style is not what we mean when we talk about the power of the “meditation diet.”

A study in the journal Obesity reveals that folks who have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their hair (yup, stress even gets in there!) suffer from chronic stress, have larger waist circumferences (making their RealAge older), weigh more and have a higher body mass index.

Whether stress comes first followed by weight gain, or extra pounds fuel your body’s stress responses doesn’t matter; we bet it’s both. In studies at Dr. Mike’s Cleveland Clinic, taking an online stress-busting course resulted in a three-quarterpound weight loss each week for the eight weeks participants took the course.

So, if you’re struggling to achieve a healthy weight, it’s time to try the stress-busting meditation diet. Bonus: You’ll also have a noticeably sharper memory and a clearer brain.

Set aside times in your schedule to meditate. Find a quiet environment; turn off cellphones and disconnect from the internet. Then …

1. Sit in a comfortable position with good posture. Breathe in through your nose slowly for four seconds and exhale slowly through an open mouth, saying, “Om.” Repeat. Over time, build up to an eight-second exhale.

2. Let your mind drift. Recognize thoughts as they float by; let them drift away. You’ll be dispelling stress and the cortisol that packs on pounds.