Cortisol And Stress

Cortisol is a hormone that increases in response to stress and anxiety. Most hormones tend to ebb and flow throughout the day. The cortisol hormone is no different. Problems arise when it is chronically released and at higher than normal levels. While the main function of cortisol is to increase blood sugar and the storing of sugar in the liver. It also helps to regulate: blood pressure, cardiovascular function, immune function, and anti-inflammatory response. Cortisol is an important hormone. Chronic stress causes elevated cortisol levels, and that is when healthy functioning of the body can become compromised. There are times in all of our lives when we feel as if the usual ways to reduce stress just are not working anymore. As part of the body's natural physiological stress response, the adrenal glands secrete more of it in response to physical and psychological stress. If you find yourself in the following list, you may be struggling with chronic stress: • Irritability • Stress insomnia • Eating disorders • Sleep deprivation • Stress and depression • Stress and anxiety • Mood swings • Burnout • Chronic anger • Stress headaches and muscle tension • More conflicts with others When the fight or flight response is chronically activated, the body does not have as many opportunities throughout each day to experience the rest and rejuvenation it needs to function optimally. Physiologically, the body cannot function out of both the stress response and the relaxation response at the same time. When too much of each day is spent out of balance...in the stress response...coping with stress and the elevated cortisol and stress levels becomes very important. In normal life circumstances, the body naturally goes in and out of balance - in an out of stress and relaxation - throughout the day. That is the body is designed to function. When too much of each day is spent out of balance...in the stress response... coping with stress and the elevated cortisol and stress levels becomes very important part of managing stress. And, it is important for your overall health and well-being. My website provides information on coping with stress from a holistic perspective. Coping with stress is unique to each one of us, and is experienced each time the brain encounters something that threatens ones survival. That threat can be real or perceived. Each facet of who we are, thoughts, physical, emotional, and spiritual function optimally when in balance. Chronic stress, or being chronically out of balance, is what harms the body. Creating balance within each level of SELF is what is so important in stress management.