Do you feel under constant pressure?
Are you having trouble losing your belly fat?
Do you frequently feel wired but tired?
If so, your cortisol levels may be out of balance. Cortisol is that pesky stress hormone that needs to be in the “just right” range for you to feel your best. Not too high and not too low.
Cortisol is designed to give you a quick boost of energy when you need to take fast action in a dangerous situation, like a tiger chasing you. But in our modern lives, when chaos and deadlines keep us running on life’s treadmill, we often pump out too much cortisol and remain in high alert mode even when there’s nothing dangerous looming around the corner. Over time, this taxes your adrenals and creates serious hormonal imbalance, not to mention raising your blood pressure and insulin levels.
How can you train your brain and body to better manage your cortisol levels?
- Make a conscious choice to change your reaction to stress. not to see the things in your life as stressors, but as opportunities to learn how to slow down, stay balanced, and manage things with more ease. It is possible!
- Practice taking 5-10 deep belly breaths during your day to reset your cortisol levels. For example, when you go to the bathroom, during lunch, or while making an afternoon cup of green tea. Use the time to tune in, clear your mind and get into the present moment. You may be surprised to feel more focused and calm as you approach the next item on your to-do list.
- Consider taking up a practice such as meditation, or yoga to learn how to calm your mind and body. The good news? You don’t have to devote hours to this in order for it to work. Even just 10-15 minutes of quiet contemplation or a few yoga poses can help you create the space to hit the reset button. approaching the next thing on your to-do list with clarity, focus, and calm.
For those of you that think you “don’t have time” for even a few minutes of quiet, calm breathing, let us know and we will write a Rx prescription for you. These tips beat any antidepressant or other drug for anxiety.