The Diet Hacks That Will Reduce Stress Right Now, Says a Doctor The Diet Hacks That Will Reduce Stress Right Now, Says a Doctor There really is nothing worse than constantly feeling stressed. Especially if you're trying to focus on working toward any weight-loss goals, stress only ends up being more of a hindrance, as you simply aren't in the best headspace to be your healthiest self. And that constant state of stress can have many (not-so-great) effects on you, overall. "In order to understand the effect stress has on the body, we need to understand our stress-related hormones. The primary stress hormone is cortisol. The primary calming hormone is serotonin," explains Gretchen San Miguel, MD and Chief Medical Officer for Medi-Weightloss. "Stress increases cortisol, 'the stress hormone.' While this can cause you to have less of an appetite at first, long-term 'chronic' stress actually boosts your hunger."