I think we can all agree that stress is public enemy number one. And no matter how much Journal entries we write Cold fall In an attempt to balance everything, we inevitably go into the familiar “flight or fight” mode, where we go deep inward or into meditation. relationshipsFamily obligations, life in general – you know the story.
Our body It needs the stress hormone cortisol to surviveAnd a certain amount is necessary and healthy: for example, when you wake up or work out, cortisol levels rise. However, chronic cortisol—AKA prolonged elevated levels—keeps our bodies in perpetual stress and wreaks havoc on our mental and physical health, increasing health risks like depression and anxiety, immune system disorders, and disease.
But here’s the good news: When we manage our cortisol levels (read: Get quality sleep, Eat well, Exercise, but don’t overdo itAnd they have one Meditation as a stress reliever), we can get a lot of health benefits because our body is grateful. I called the experts to follow up on the benefits you can expect when you have high cortisol and freeze TF. Read what they have to say.
Signs that you have high cortisol
There’s no denying that our bodies send us signals when we’re hungry, tired, and stressed. And to the extent that stress gets a bad rap, it can send us red flags to watch out for. These are general. Your body is producing too much cortisol:
- Weight gain, mostly in the middle and upper back area
- Weight gain and face circumference
- Acne
- Thin skin
- Easy beat
- Sealed face
- Delayed healing
- Muscle weakness
- heavy Fatigue
- Frustration
- Difficulty concentrating
- High blood pressure
- Headache
Benefits of lowering cortisol levels
1. Reduced inflammation
If you have Constantly high levels of cortisol, can cause your body to produce too much cortisol, which leads to inflammation and weakens the immune system. “Cortisol can raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and it can affect insulin sensitivity, so low cortisol can help reduce inflammation in the body, which can lead to aches and pains,” explains Becca Smith, licensed professional counselor and chief clinical officer. BasePoint Academy. No pain, all gain, am I right?
2. Low blood pressure
During times of high stress, your heart rate and blood pressure increase, so it’s no surprise that your blood pressure stays the same when you reduce your stress. “Strong evidence shows that sustained cortisol relaxation allows your muscles to relax, which slows your heart and breathing rate, normalizes blood oxygenation, lowers blood pressure, and lowers blood sugar and fat release,” says Jessica Houston, MD, MSPH, founder. and CEO Vitamins and me.
3. Better skin
It’s no secret that stress can lead to nasty breakouts — none of us are immune to waking up with an unexplained zit after a work deadline or a fight with your SO. But when you go dragon climbing, your skin is one of those reaping the benefits. The result? A big light. “Since cortisol causes oil production (which can lead to acne and other skin problems), reducing cortisol helps. Improve the health of your skin” Smith said. Low Cortisol Clear Skin, Bright Eyes, Shiny hairLicensed therapist Lauren Cook-McKay, and drools on her cheeks. “This is because stress no longer affects the internal processes of the body, allowing the internal organs to work more efficiently.”
4. Improved digestion and metabolism
If you’re like me, digestive drama is never far away when stress rears its ugly head. the reason? It can cause stress Decreased blood flow and oxygen levels in the stomach And it slows down digestion (AKA your body’s primary stress response) so we have more energy for fight or flight. These changes can lead to cramps, inflammation or an imbalance of gut bacteria. A silver lining? “When we take care of ourselves through increased positive health behaviors (ie, stress management, sleep, food choices, exercise) to lower cortisol, our blood sugar stabilizes and the amount of glucose circulating in the body decreases. Improve digestion and metabolism,” explains Sarah-Nicole Bostan, clinical health psychologist and director of behavioral change strategies. Signs. What’s more, “adequate levels of cortisol modulate inflammation and regulate metabolism, leading to improved gut health and Immune healthHouston explained.
5. Increase in mood
There are the above physical health benefits of keeping cortisol levels low, then there are the benefits for you Mental health. “The neurochemical changes in the brain caused by lowering cortisol not only improve hormone levels in the stress pathway, but also stimulate the production of feel-good endorphins,” Houston said. And we can do our part to capitalize on those endorphins by exercising, eating foods we enjoy, and making calls. Having sex.
Chronic cortisol also affects symptoms of anxiety and depression. “Chronic lowering of cortisol helps reduce anxiety and depression symptoms by increasing serotonin production in the brain,” Smith said. “It can help you better respond to stress in the future by giving your body more tools to handle stressful situations without resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms.” If you’re experiencing anxiety or depression, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor or therapist.
6. Improved concentration and energy
“Chronic stress and high cortisol levels can cause serotonin levels to drop, disrupting the normal functioning of the brain,” Smith reports. “This can lead to poor concentration, low energy levels and lack of interest in activities. [Lowering chronic cortisol] It helps restore balance in your body’s hormone levels, resulting in improved ability to concentrate and focus on tasks and increased energy levels. Bottom line: Keeping your cortisol levels in check translates to bringing up your game (hello Productivity).
Always ask your doctor or other qualified health care provider for any questions regarding a medical or mental health condition. Don’t ignore or delay seeking professional advice because of what you’ve read in this article.
