Nearly everyone has experienced the feeling when you need to protect yourself from danger. There can be a loud noise behind you when you are walking, car accident close to you, child falling down, etc.. Your Body considers those hassles as threats, and you feel increased heartbeat, high blood pressure. After that moment when you feel safe, you will notice muscle loss and weakness. This is because of the Adrenaline and Cortisol hormone, that are released every time you are stressed. That’s why Cortisol is called a “stress hormone”. While it’s a vital hormone for your body, the high levels of it can be harmful. Fortunately there are several ways to lower your cortisol level naturally following the steps provided by Rosewellness.
How Cortisol Hormone works?
When you feel stressed or in danger, your hypothalamus, which is a part of your brain, sends emergency signals to your body. These signals prompt your adrenal glands to produce adrenaline and cortisol.
Adrenaline increases your heart rate and boosts energy. Cortisol increases sugar (glucose) in your bloodstream and alerts your immune system responses, putting down the digestive system, growth process and reproductive system. All these processes are always in touch with the part of the brain that controls mood and motivation.
Cortisol is produced in adrenal glands. If you are suffering from chronic stress, the adrenal glands should be always working and the depletion of them causes:
- brain fog
- low energy
- depressive mood
- salt and sweet cravings
- lightheadedness
- other vague symptoms
Symptoms of High Cortisol Level
General signs and symptoms include:
- weight gain mainly in the face
- skin changes (bruises and purple stretch marks, acne, thinning)
- easy bruising
- slowed healing
- muscle weakness
- fatigue and anxiety
- irritability
- memory and concentration problems
- high blood pressure
- headache
- insomnia
Adrenal Fatigue and Cortisol
As we have already mentioned, adrenal glands produce Cortisol. And their constant work may cause energy loss, brain fog, tiredness, nervousness, body aches. The widely known term for it is “adrenal fatigue”. But it is not recognized as an existing medical condition and there is scientific evidence of its existence. The logic is that when you get stressed a lot, your adrenal glands “burn out” and can not provide cortisol production in a proper way. But actually stress increases the production of cortisol. Anyway this question is still open and needs to be scientifically proved.
Control the stress in a healthy way
- Eat healthy and get regular exercises.
- Don’t forget to drink at least 2 liter water during the day.
- Get healthy sleep, don’t stay awake late at night.
- Practice yoga, this is one of the most effective ways to balance hormones.
- Build healthy relationship with friends and family
- Find reason to laugh
- Turn to professional help and counseling when needed.
Learning to control stress is a lifestyle. This will not only help you to overcome symptoms, but definitely will make your life healthier, longer and more beautiful. You have only this life to live. Stay safe and hydrated!