How to Keep Your Cortisol Levels in Check

There’s a lot you can do to keep your body’s cortisol levels under control and here are a few tips:

1) Keep stress levels under control

This can be easier said than done but chronic stress is one of the biggest reasons why cortisol levels stay high. Meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing, getting out in nature and journaling have all been shown to help with stress management.

2) Get plenty of sleep

Getting plenty of sleep is super important too but this can be a catch 22 situation as you can find it hard to sleep when cortisol levels are high. You may also find that you feel tired in the day but wide awake at night.

3) Eat plenty of whole foods with anti-inflammatory benefits.

Chronic inflammation can be a factor for high cortisol levels so it makes sense to eat a diet that is low in processed foods and rich in nutritious, anti-inflammatory foods. Stay clear of high GI foods, trans fats and refined carbs (or try to keep them to a minimum, at least) and up your intake of fiber, lean protein, probiotics and healthy fats.

4) Exercise regularly

Regular exercise can help to manage stress and balance hormones. For cortisol, it can bring things back into balance and can be super effective at helping your body to deal with stress more efficiently.

5) Use Essential Oils

Essential oils can also help to reduce stress and balance your hormones. Lavender, bergamot, frankincense and myrrh are just a few examples of essential oils that can be super effective at this.

6) Herbal Supplements

Some herbs act as adaptogens, which means that they help your body to cope better with stress. They can go a step further than this and balance hormone levels naturally. Some can also be anti-inflammatory and balance blood sugar levels. A few examples of adaptogens are Ashwagandha, licorice root, medicinal mushrooms, holy basil and rhodiola. It’s best to speak to your doctor before taking any herbal supplements, especially if you’re on any medication or have any preexisting health conditions.

Chronic stress is a big culprit. Our bodies release stress hormones such as cortisol as part of the “fight or flight” response. This usually takes us far beyond the amount of cortisol that we actually need and can potentially be dangerous for health.