A stressful day at work, a painful commute on the way home, or even a long evening out can leave you feeling drained, tired, sick, and sometimes upset. But why? Microstressors like these often directly hit the cortisol levels in your body. The fatigue and exhaustion are just by-products of the same. So, even those with little idea about what cortisol is can still understand the benefits of balanced cortisol levels.
Cortisol is a corticosteroid hormone. Secreted by the adrenal gland, it has a definite role in controlling blood sugar levels, regulating metabolism, reducing inflammation, and enhancing memory formulation. Besides these, cortisol also maintains your body’s salt and water balance. Therefore, during stress or anxiety, the secretion levels of the hormone get elevated.
How Cortisol Functions in Your Body?
The primary job of cortisol is to fuel the ‘fight or flight’ response of the body. Therefore, it is not necessary to lower cortisol levels. Instead, maintaining the hormone balance is the right approach for optimal health. Moreover, in reality, it can be a lifesaving element.
When you encounter any dangerous situation, the adrenal glands secrete cortisol. As the hormone enters the bloodstream, it enables the body to activate its ‘fight or flight’ response. It prepares the body to react for immediate action instantly. At that time, the blood sugar levels also increase the power of the body’s muscles. Only after the situation eases that cortisol levels go back to normal.
The problem arises when due to constant stress, the cortisol levels do not go down This can lead to various symptoms that make daily life uncomfortable.
Does Increased Cortisol Levels Affect Your Body?
An increase in cortisol levels can bring plenty of problems. When the hormone levels rise abnormally, it affects a person’s day-to-day functioning. Some of thecommon issues that it brings are:
- Mood irregularity and frequent irritability
- Frequent headaches
- Memory lapses
- Cardiac diseases
- Severe fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Weight gain in the face and abdomen
- Visceral fat gain
- A considerable decrease in sex drive
- Diabetes
- Fluctuating blood pressure levels
- Osteoporosis
In severe cases, an increased cortisol level can lead to obesity, infertility, bone loss, etc. However, it is not impossible to bring cortisol levels back to a balanced mode. With the right diet combination, lifestyle and medication, you can get it back to normal.
Can Cortisol Balance Improve Mental Health?
Cortisol is good but only until your body needs it. Apart from that, its presence is never supposed to be in large amounts in the body. Because in that way, the body won’t be able to get back to doing things needed for a healthy and quality life.
The first thing is the blood sugar level. If it stays increased for a considerable time, it will lead to diabetes. Similarly, boosted levels of the corticosteroid hormone can be a massive contributor to poor mental health. So, that is why it is so essential to maintain a balance in the levels of the hormone.
Wrapping Up
One needs to understand that to enjoy the benefits of balanced cortisol levels. It is vital to quit alcohol and caffeine use. However, by making changes to daily life, one can have a balance in cortisol levels.