What a Person Should Know About Cortisol
Cortisol, a hormone released by the adrenal glands – located on top of the kidneys – plays an important role in the functioning of the body. The hormone is involved in glucose metabolism, insulin release for blood sugar maintenance, blood pressure regulation, inflammatory response, and immune function.
The Stress Hormone
Cortisol is known as “the stress hormone” because it’s secreted in higher levels as part of the body’s stress response, also known as the “fight-or-flight” mechanism. When you encounter a stressor and your body becomes ready you have to either “fight” or “flight,” otherwise the cortisol levels accumulate in the blood and causes your body and mind harm.
High Cortisol Symptoms
While cortisol is needed for some essential bodily functions, too much of it can be bad. Elevated levels of cortisol interfere with memory and learning, decrease immune function, lower bone density. High cortisol levels can also lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Your mental health may be at risk as well as high cortisol has been linked to anxiety and depression.
How to Reduce Cortisol Levels
There are many simple, natural ways of lowering your cortisol levels. Here are eight things you can do:
- Exercise regularly. Intense exercise actually increases cortisol shortly after the workout. But while it increases short-term, the cortisol levels will decrease at night.
- Relax. Many relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, have been shown to reduce cortisol levels.
- Eat a well-balanced diet. Be sure to watch your sugar intake and consider consuming some of the following which helps keep cortisol levels stable: pears, bananas, berries dark chocolate, green tea, and yogurt.
- Get a good night’s sleep. Sleep is critical when it comes to managing your cortisol. Experts recommend 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
- Laugh. Joking and laughter reduce cortisol levels, according to a study published in American Physiological Society.
- Get a dog. A study examined cortisol levels in children while they underwent a medical procedure. The study found that the kids who had a dog present during the procedure had lower cortisol levels than those without a dog.
- Take up a hobby. Hobbies can be fun and fulfilling, and they can create a greater sense of well-being. One study, for example, found that gardening led to lower levels of cortisol.
- Listen to music. Music lowers stress and improves mood. Listening to music will even decrease the body’s stress response, according to a study published in PLoS One.
A Supplement That Reduces Cortisol
An herbal supplement called Natural Calm has a unique combination of clinically proven and patented ingredients, including Relora®, Sensoril®, and Suntheanine®, as well as natural herbaceous plants like banaba leaf and maral extracts, that combine to help individuals dealing with everyday stress and high levels of cortisol. Natural Calm helps the mind and body work toward their normal balanced state and counteract many of the physiological changes that occur as a result of the body’s stress response.
In addition to reducing cortisol levels and helping the body cope with the adverse effects of stress, Natural Calm lives up to its name by having a calming, relaxing effect on the body and by promoting restful sleep. This multifunctional supplement alleviates the occasional fatigue we all experience and supports mental clarity, helping you get through life’s everyday stresses.
Contact Us
Are you looking for a safe, natural way to reduce cortisol? The team at Natural Bio Health has the answers you are looking for and the products that can help you achieve the relaxation and stress relief you deserve.