9 Daily Habits to Lower Cortisol
From a quick scroll on any given social media app or just conversing with friends, the one thing that seems to be on everyone’s minds is cortisol, a.k.a. the stress hormone. More specifically (and because of the times we’re living in), we’re all looking at our high cortisol levels and ways to reduce them. “Cortisol rises in response to demanding situations or perceived threats,” notes psychologist Pilar Guerra Escudero. “Our body is designed to release cortisol in a timely manner, but the problem arises when cortisol levels remain chronically elevated. This can impact the immune system, sleep, and mood.”
“Maintaining normal cortisol levels is critical because cortisol regulates many important body processes,” adds Fernando Carnavali, MD, associate professor of medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine and chief general of internal medicine at Mount Sinai. “It helps the body respond to stress, reduce inflammation, regulate blood sugar and metabolism, and control blood pressure.”
Now, experiencing a little bit of stress now and again is perfectly normal. In fact, experts say it can even be healthy to some degree. However, you don’t need a medical degree to know that experiencing chronic stress can wreak havoc on your health. So, how to deal? The good news is that managing cortisol is much easier than you might think. Experts say that engaging in just a handful of specific activities and habits each day can help. Here are nine of the best daily actions to lower cortisol.
