How to reduce cortisol?
Learn about the Cortisol Hormone
You are expecting to reduce your cortisol levels? Everything is possible being well informed and practicing a healthy lifestyle! Others would also combine their workout with natural supplements to enhance results.
Whether for reduce stress, abdominal fat or simply optimize your healthy routine, this article will help you choose the right approach regarding your goals.
What is cortisol?
To understand what cortisol is doing into your body, a good behavior is to go straight to the point and learn about the mechanisms of this substance.
First, cortisol is a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal gland located at the top of the kidneys. It plays an essential role in regulating the endocrine system to treat carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Thus, this hormone ensures a metabolic balance in the body.
Cortisol also has a role to play in the circadian cycle, which is the cycle responsible for sleeping and waking. It is between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. that the adrenal glands secrete more cortisol to help you wake up! Its level then decreases until the evening to promote sleep.
What happens if cortisol levels rise or fall?
In popular parlance, cortisol is called the stress hormone. That's probably why the name sounds familiar.
When you are faced with a stressful situation, the glands will produce more cortisol to activate the body and trigger the survival instinct. This way, you will be ready to act to protect yourself. Imagine for a moment.
You're walking in the woods and you see a bear standing in front of you. In the first few seconds, your body will emit a signal and the cortisol will activate to quickly flee this dangerous situation. That's one of the roles of this hormone!
However, in a fast-paced lifestyle, if your stress level is still high and your cortisol level is increased in the blood, problems may occur in the short and long term:
- Sleep problems such as insomnia
- Diabetes
- Mood disorder such as depression
- Increased fat in the abdomen
- In the extreme, a high level of cortisol in the blood can lead to Cushing's syndrome while a very low level can indicate adrenal insufficiency.
If your cortisol level is high, it is wise to reduce it to ensure your well-being.
So how do you reduce cortisol?
- Avoid stimulants.
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle.
- Do physical activities
Stimulants, such as caffeine, can increase cortisol levels. So you can cut stimulants out of your diet as much as possible. For example, after lunch, don't take energy drinks or coffee.
A smoothie or herbal tea might be ideal! If you have a sweet tooth, replace chocolate bars with dark chocolate.
Next, try to incorporate activities that promote calm and relaxation into your routine. Do workouts that allow you to limit all dynamic movement, especially before bedtime! The goal is to avoid an explosive workout that excites the body. Instead of running fast, opt for yoga.
Every day, if possible, set aside short periods of time to relax and reduce stress. Sometimes, between appointments, take three minutes to close your eyes and breathe. You'll see the benefits quickly!
To help you reduce cortisol levels, there are also natural supplements available. Some people like to add natural supplements to their health routine.
Natural Supplements to Reduce Cortisol
There are many natural supplements available. Some products contain ingredients that complement each other perfectly and promote cortisol reduction.
Cortixia: This product aims to reduce cortisol levels and reduce fat at night. This anti-stress formula contains melatonin and magnesium, which are conducive to restful sleep.
It also contains Gaba, a muscle relaxant and Ashwagandha. It is known for its soothing properties that help to reduce stress. Cortixia is offered in capsule form to be taken before bedtime.
Magnesium supplement MG-PRO: This product contains six sources of magnesium with numerous benefits. From muscle recovery to its relaxing effect, MG PRO can be a useful aid in reducing stress and promoting calm.
Glycine: Glycine is an amino acid that offers many benefits, including reducing cortisol levels during stressful times. You can discover this product here.
Now that you are better informed about cortisol, its functions and how to reduce this hormone, you can take action. Starting today, you can adopt healthy lifestyle habits and reduce the bad stress in your life.
