To the coffee shop we go!
What did I do differently this second pregnancy and postpartum? Many things, of course - I live in a different climate, am a homeowner and a mother to a 4-year old. Time has also passed. But there was something else that I couldn't quite put my finger on -- oh yes, my daily cup of jo...
Round one, playing it by the book - low caffeine.
Our adrenal glands govern our stress response, by secreting hormones relative to our stress levels. They actually help control many hormonal cycles and functions in our body. When the adrenal glands are overworked, the body prepares for disaster, by storing fat and calories.
When we have longterm stress, both insulin and cortisol remain elevated in the blood, and the extra glucose is stored as fat–mostly in the abdomen.
-Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP
Coffee stimulates the adrenal glands, which means that every time you drink coffee, you're activating the body's fight-or-flight response. But, instead of releasing adrenaline so the body can react to a true stressor, the adrenals are releasing this hormone in response to your coffee consumption.
How about skin aging and wrinkling? Caffeine dehydrates the body and elevates cortisol levels. This leads to dehydrated skin and premature wrinkling.
Coffee is not a health beverage and this is a truth that we, especially women, do not want to face if we love it as part of our ritual. We aim to convince ourselves there are health benefits (yes, I've heard it all, too) in this habit, but that is justification for an addiction.
Fat in the abdominal area, premature wrinkling - check and check. Quitting coffee as a regular user - also, check.
HIGH ENERGY is of utmost importance when caring for bébés!!!
As for the wrinkles? Some of us just love the sun (and smiling).