When did you realize that your anxiety wasn't just a "quirk," but was actually something that was harming your health?
Nobody likes feeling stressed! Did you know that women report higher average stress levels than men?
We are increasingly aware of the harmful effects of stress and we have to learn how to deal with it daily. The trick is learning how to balance cortisol levels.
What is cortisol?
Cortisol is often referred to as the 'stress hormone' due to its role in the body's response to stress. It increases glucose in the bloodstream. Cortisol also suppresses non-essential functions, such as those of the digestive and reproductive systems.
Cortisol is involved in much more than just stress. It plays an important role in metabolism, regulating blood pressure, suppressing inflammation, regulating blood sugar, and the sleep-wake cycle.
For these reasons, cortisol is an important factor in how we function. It is when cortisol levels remain high that problems arise – chronically high cortisol levels increase the risk of anxiety and depression, increase inflammation in the body and brain, weaken the immune system, and can cause digestive and fertility problems.
What are the telltale signs of elevated cortisol?
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Weight gain
- Irritability and mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
- High blood pressure
How to lower cortisol levels:
Stress is one of the biggest risk factors for brain health and overall health as we age. Managing stress can reduce the risk of things like cognitive decline. Healthy cortisol levels can help you sleep better, strengthen your immunity, recover from illnesses faster, and maintain a healthy weight.
Here are some tips to reduce cortisol:
Adaptogens can help the body respond to and recover from stress more quickly, especially ashwagandha , ginseng , reishi , and rhodiola .
Get seven to nine hours of sleep every night to help your brain and body repair, recover, and become more resilient to stress.
Stop and breathe! A shorter breath in (count to four) followed by a longer breath out (count to six) can help calm the nervous system and immediately reduce feelings of stress.
Make time for friends, it could be a quick 10-minute phone call or a walk and chat about your problems. Practice gratitude (corny, I know, but being grateful for good things makes us focus on the positive instead of the negative - which leads to less stress and anxiety).
In terms of supplementation, you probably already know that we are STRONG advocates of SUPER WOMAN capsules , which support cortisol balance and reduce stress and anxiety. They contain the adaptogens mentioned earlier, such as ahwagandha, rhodiola, and reishi. You should take 2 capsules every day first thing in the morning – for at least 3 months. As needed, you can take 2 extra capsules during the day to balance things out.