How to lower your high cortisol levels? Find out below!
HIGH CORTISOL LEVELS – How do you reduce your stress hormones? High levels can cause health problems and here are some ways to lower this.
Hormones are produced by the endocrine glands. They work as messengers to the body through the blood controlling some body functions such as development, metabolism, reproduction, mood, and others. The “messages” are then sent to organs, skin, muscles, and other tissues.
Cortisol is a steroid hormone which works mainly to regulate the body’s response to stress. At present times, more and more people are getting stressed than ever. As much as we all know, stress does not only impact the mental health but also the physical health.
The normal range of cortisol should be:
- 6 am to 8 am: 10 to 20 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL)
- Around 4 pm: 3 to 10 mcg/dL
There are several indications that tell you have high cortisol and here are some:
- Weight gain in face and abdomen.
- Fatty deposits between shoulder blades.
- Wide, purple stretch marks on your abdomen.
- Muscle weakness in upper arms and thighs.
- High blood sugar.
- High blood pressure (hypertension).
- Excessive hair growth (hirsutism) in people assigned female at birth.
- Weak bones (osteoporosis) and fractures.
Here’s how to lower this:
- Managing stress through setting priorities and doing things to improve your mental health.
- Doing some relaxation techniques.
- Eating a balanced diet.
- Avoid drinking caffeine.
- Taking a hobby.
- Regularly exercising.
- Getting a pet.
- Avoiding smoking and other vices.
As much as we all know, having a chronic stress might put our health at risk and this may negatively impact one’s mental and physical health. This can increase the risk of anxiety, depression, digestive problems, headaches, muscle tension and pain, heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, sleep problems, weight gain, and among others.
What can you say about this? Let us know in the comments!