Cortisol is your body’s defense against stress. It is a steroid produced by the adrenal glands, creating your “fight or flight” response. In this, it can be lifesaving in extreme events, as it does its magic on many parts of the body simultaneously.
The problem occurs when you are under constant stress—mental strain, physical ailment, emotional anguish, extreme labor—and your adrenal glands constantly produce cortisol to combat it.
The Hazards of High Cortisol
Cortisol, when needed, is good. High cortisol is not. When levels remain elevated, the body can respond through:
- Poor blood sugar regulation
- Inflammation
- Joint pain
- Irregular metabolism
- Reduced cognitive function
Some signs to watch for that may indicate high cortisol levels are:
- Weight gain, concentrated in the belly area and face
- Thinning skin
- Flushed face
- High blood pressure
- Headaches
Learn to Lower Your Cortisol Levels
Many of life’s stressors are out of your control, but what we can do is work to control and lower your cortisol levels. Six things you can try are:
- Eat a healthy diet rich in natural whole foods, limiting unhealthy fats and sugars.
- Improve sleep hygiene by keeping your bedroom quiet, dark, and cool, as well as not eating before bed and discontinuing screen time at least one hour before lights out.
- Exercise regularly throughout the week by incorporating 150 minutes of moderate exercise (i.e., 30 minute walks, five days per week) to help reduce stress.
- Use relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing.
- Take supplements such as a Cortisol Manager to fill the gaps that diet and exercise are not reaching.
- Keep a routine to enable yourself better to handle the unexpected.
Call On Your Cortisol Manager
For the best cortisol management supplement, try Pureformulas Integrative Therapeutics Cortisol Manager™.