Stress can change eating, sleep, drinking and activity. It can contribute to weight change, but it is not a diagnosis or a complete explanation.
Notice the pattern without blaming yourself
Perhaps lunch disappears during busy shifts, food becomes comfort at night, or sleep is repeatedly interrupted. Those are useful clues. Unexplained weight change or persistent symptoms deserve a health assessment rather than an online cortisol label.
What you can do next
Identify the hardest part of the day and make one practical adjustment. Speak to a GP if stress is hard to cope with or self-help is not helping.
Sources and further reading
Your next step
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Answer and listed sources checked 2 October 2026.