Stress and Muscle Growth. Stress is Messing With Your Gains!

Stress and muscle growth is a topic that is probably not discussed enough in muscle publications. Although it isn’t as exciting as talking about lifting methods, it will make a huge difference in the results that you get.

“Stress and Muscle Growth” Video

Let’s discuss the two S’s of muscle building without fat. Sleep and stress. These two things, often taken for granted, are very important to know about in terms of how they can help or hinder you from achieving your physique development goals.

Let’s look at sleep first. Specifically, sleep and muscle growth and how these relate to each other.

Several bodily functions take a hit whenever we don’t get the right amount of sleep. These are the systems contributing to your physique development goals. For example, look at the endocrine system. This system is in charge of releasing the hormones necessary for your physique development. When we get less than 6 hours of sleep per night we get a dramatic decrease in the muscle building hormones, and an increase in fat storing hormones. Shoot for more than 6 hours of sleep always. Not only that, other bodily functions take a hit as well. Without a good immune system, we would always get sick and that would keep us from the gym. The immune system also ensures that we recover from our intense workouts. Metabolism also becomes sluggish, which we all know to mean that we are more likely to put on fat. Here are a few tips to help you manage your sleeping habits.

Camomile tea really helps if you take it around 1-2 hours before you sleep. It helps you relax and sleep better. Also, try to avoid caffeine late at night. Some stop having caffeine products by 6pm. It’s possible that it’s a different story for you. The final tip is to schedule your workouts well. Again, find out what works for you in this regard. People commonly work out at least 3-4 hours before they plan to sleep.
Next “S” – Stress. This actually works similar to how lack of sleep does. The same bodily functions and systems are affected. Your immune system suffers. Your endocrine system gets hit, increasing your fat storing hormones and decreasing your muscle storing hormones. Metabolism takes a hit. Also, you have less energy for your intense workouts.

Here are two tips when it comes to managing stress. Compartmentalize your different priorities. If you’re getting stressed by your relationship, then only deal with that when you’re with that person. Don’t allow stress in one area to pour into the other areas. This is hard to do, but mastering it should really be beneficial.

If that doesn’t work, then get your top priorities done early in the day. For example, if exercise is very important to you, then do it first thing in the morning, when your energy levels are high. Doing this allows you to have that important thing already dealt with, and you can focus your remaining energy and time to other stuff.

We hope these helped your! Stress and muscle growth is something to pay attention to when you are trying to add mass. Have a “sleep-ful” and stress-free day!