Did you know your cortisol levels might be causing you to gain weight?
Cortisol is the body’s stress hormone and contributes to the effects we feel when we perceive danger. Do you know how to lower cortisol levels in your body? This may be your first time ever hearing about the cortisol hormone.
Read on to learn everything you need to know.
What Is Cortisol?
Cortisol is a hormone in your body that helps regulate your metabolism and immune system. Having high cortisol levels can be dangerous over a long period of time. An increase in cortisol levels is often caused by long periods of high stress.
The Effects
Having high levels of cortisol can cause rapid weight gain, muscle and bone weakness, mood swings, high blood pressure, and trouble sleeping. Low levels of cortisol can be indicated by weight loss, dizziness, low blood pressure, and mood swings.
Stress
Stress is unavoidable at times. However, it is crucial that you find ways to manage it and decrease those feelings of anxiety. The body’s fight-or-flight mechanism can be very useful at times and can even save your life but we don’t want that all the time.
The body wasn’t built to maintain that level of high stress for long. Over a period of time your body will tell you it’s tired of being stressed. It can’t take it anymore and that’s why you may have high blood pressure or weight gain or muscle weakness.
Stress and lack of sleep can cause a weight loss plateau. Be aware of that and remember sleep affects the whole body.
How to Lower Cortisol Levels
Now the question is how to reduce cortisol levels. Sleep is so important and when life is busy it’s easy to put it on the back burner. However, it is imperative to get good, restful sleep to reduce the cortisol levels in the body.
We all know how frustrating it can be to get in bed and not be able to fall asleep. Sereniti can help improve sleep and control mood swings.
Regular exercise is another way to reduce stress. If you are feeling anxious try going for a walk or a fitness class. Maintaining friendships and relationships with people who make you laugh can make a huge difference too.
Avoiding stressful situations is easier said than done but while you’re healing be aware of where you are spending your time. Always remember it is okay to say no every once in a while. It’s okay if you can’t make it to every function or activity you are invited to.
Your health journey is a life long commitment. Learning how to lower cortisol levels in your body isn’t something to be put off.
Your Health, Your Priority
How to lower cortisol levels isn’t talked about enough. Your health needs to be your priority. Look out for the warning signs and be mindful of your stress levels and your sleep.
We hope you feel more informed and ready to take the necessary actions to get your hormones and stress on the track. If you found this helpful check you some of our other articles and continue learning.
