Too much cortisol: belly fat and crow's feet

The fact that being under stress – this is the norm for a modern person – absolutely wrong opinion. Yes, sometimes it’s hard to withstand the pressure at work, and even harder to manage to build a career, pay attention to the family and carve out the rest of the time for yourself. In fact, being constantly in a state of stress – a real pathology that can lead to the development of an immense number of various diseases and disorders. Instead of letting negativity eat away at you, learn how to control your stress hormone.

Cortisol differs from other hormones in that its excess provokes an increase in blood pressure and blood sugar. In this regard, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity increases.

If you learn how to control the stress hormone, you can avoid so many serious consequences in the form of various ailments.

• What happens when cortisol levels are elevated
• How to find harmony: learning to properly control stress hormone

What happens when cortisol levels are elevated

It all starts with the fact that from the pituitary gland to the adrenal glands a signal (hormone) is sent that calls cortisol to work, which immediately begins to act. At the same time, initially the functions of cortisol (as well as everything else in our body) are purely positive.

Cortisol helps to overcome stress, promotes better concentration, energizes and fights allergies.

If cortisol levels are normal:

• You are haunted by a sense of satisfaction;
• You are absolutely satisfied with your life;
• You feel comfortable in your own body and are difficult to push.

If cortisol is elevated:

• You can't get enough sleep;
  
  
• a bad mood constantly haunts you;
  
  
• You constantly feel tired and exhausted;
  
  
•  Your tummy has grown.

What happens when cortisol levels are elevated?

1. Blood sugar rises.
   
   
2. Dopamine and serotonin levels decrease.
   
   
3. The metabolism slows down, which causes fat deposits on the waist and abdomen.
   
   
4. Due to the fact that the muscles around the eyes are constantly tense wrinkles appear.
   
   
5. Muscle tissues are destroyed.

To avoid an increase in cortisol levels in the blood, the following foods should be avoided: caffeine, alcohol, gluten.

How to find harmony: learning to properly control the stress hormone

1. Breathe! When you feel stress starting to creep up – take 10 breaths in and out and feel instant relief.
   
   
2. Drink more water. The stress response can be due to dehydration, which causes an increase in cortisol levels in the body.
   
   
3. Eat healthy. Prioritize protein and prebiotic foods, avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates. The perfect combination – proteins, complex carbohydrates and fats.
   
   
4. Stay out in nature more.Outdoor walks have been proven to reduce stress hormone levels. It is important to enjoy being among the trees and the beauty of the surroundings.
   
   
5. Do not allow physical and mental overload.

You may be interested in: "Breathing: release of fears"

The author of the Reboot Your Hormones program, Sarah Gotfield, has compiled a list of foods that help normalize cortisol levels. These include:

• dark chocolate (a couple of pieces after breakfast);
  
  
• dark green leafy;
  
  
• Rhodiola Rosea;
  
  
• omega 3 fatty acids.
  
  
• Do not exhaust yourself with unnecessary worries, learning to control the stress hormone, you will save yourself from many unpleasant diseases.