Cortisol: good or bad?

Cortisol is one of the most important hormones for our body. Cortisol wakes us up in the morning and helps us cope with stress. Along with the positive things that go with it, it can also have negative effects if one is constantly under stress.

How can I make sure that cortisol does not affect me in a bad way? Before answering this question, let's find out why the stress hormone is so critical to us.

It carries out two important functions:

1. Cortisol activates all the body's resources to fight stress

It doesn't really matter if it's a good stress (eustress) or a bad (distress). In any exciting or nerve-wracking situation, cortisol begins to break down proteins (primarily the proteins of the immune system), increases blood sugar, breaks down fat cells, and mutes the feeling of pain (basically, it puts it off until you are calmed down).

If the stress factor ceases to act, the cortisol levels decrease, and the metabolism begins to work normally. If a person remains in a state of tension and anxiety for a long time, the body constantly experiences the effects of cortisol. This can lead to diabetes, vascular disease, and the formation of a lifebuoy (abdominal obesity).

2. Supports the activity of our body throughout the day

The highest levels of cortisol are observed in the morning (from 6 a.m to 8 a.m). That is why it helps us wake up. It can be compared to giving a command to our body to "get up and move".

And so, the continuous effect of cortisol can lead to negative consequences.

Here are the main ones:

• You don't sleep well.
• You constantly feel hungry (especially in the evening or closer to night).
• You have skin problems (acne).
• It starts to seem like there is no way to lose weight in the abdominal area.
• You are constantly anxious and can't get away from your worries.
• You start actively doing something only late in the evening.
• You often get sick (remember, cortisol first breaks down the proteins of the immune system).
• If you recognize some of these signs within yourself, it can be a red flag that points to the ongoing stress in your life, and as a result, ever elevated levels of the hormone cortisol.

Fortunately, there are ways to make this hormone work:

Quick workouts in the morning

We have repeatedly said that morning workouts result in maximum efficiency and energize you for the whole day. Evening activity or prolonged physical activity provoke insomnia, anxiety, and therefore increase the stress hormone.

A proper balanced diet

This approach will help to normalize the blood sugar level, which is always increased by cortisol.

Meditation

Scientists from Thailand confirmed that people engaged in meditation decreased their cortisol levels, as well as blood pressure.

That is also stated by experts from Maharishi University. In their 4-month study, they found that meditation reduced cortisol levels by 20% compared to subjects from the control group, whose cortisol levels slightly increased.

A good night's sleep

The Institute of aerospace medicine in Germany conducted an intriguing experiment in which a group of pilots slept for 6 or less hours for a week. As a result, cortisol levels in the subjects' bodies increased significantly and remained as high for two more days.

Massage

A 45-minute massage reduces cortisol levels. That was revealed in a study of the Medical center in Los Angeles. It was attended by 53 healthy adults who had blood tests taken before each massage session. The results were impressive: almost all patients had their stress hormone levels halved.

Take time for yourself

Find some time for yourself and finally do what you love. Something that truly makes you feel good.

Hormonal background is a significant indicator of the proper functioning of our body. If you feel and see the signs of an increased levels of the stress hormone, you better begin to fight them right away. That would help to avoid serious consequences and many diseases.