Proven Ways to Lower Stress and Cortisol

Proven Ways to Lower Stress and Cortisol

In today’s world of fast paced job requirements, fast paced expectations of retails and consumable items, and high technology availability, life has gotten faster. In general, areas of life that used to be complicated; however, because of the increased pace, life has added expectations and as a result, many people’s stress levels (specifically, cortisol) have gone through the roof.

Maybe you have experienced increased competition for promotions at work, increased availability requirements because of email being mobile, or just feel generally too rushed now. Because of that, diagnosis of chronic fatigue and adrenal fatigue have skyrocketed. Although going to the doctor may help to begin the quest of lowering cortisol from stress for good, there are some natural methods for taking care of cortisol that can be tried in synchronization with what the doctor prescribes.

In many cases, the doctor’s recommendation may even match some of these techniques on how to lower cortisol levels naturally and reduce your stress. Take note as these are some proven ways to lower stress and get you back on the right path of relaxation and focused achievement.

1) Say “no” and set boundaries for yourself

The added availability that technology has afforded us has also led to work hours that have blended rather unnecessarily with personal life: meaning, we are now available almost 24/7 regardless of even sleep hours for our employment and for our friends at certain points. Although shutting off technology can temporarily blunt these demands, it does not effectively eliminate or reduce them; and eventually we must come to the realization that we cannot possibly keep up with everybody and everything in life at all time. For that reason, simply saying “no” to coworkers, family, friends, and even employers directly may play a large role in lowering your stress level and getting the balance between your work, personal, and relational sides of life back in order. Just say “NO”!

2) Get rid of stimulants: drugs, alcohol, and smoking

Although stimulants, drugs, alcohol, and cigarette smoking are temporary reliefs of stress through the releasing of serotonin; they can often lead down the very opposite path of raising cortisol. For instance, alcohol temporarily relieves ambition while under the influence; but when off of it, it can send hormone levels in all directions and ambush your ability to stay calm and keep your stress lower the next day. Cigarettes work similarly in the sense that they provide an immediate release of serotonin, but soon after they crave for more and bolster stress to its original levels or even higher than before the craving began. Take the hard road, as it make take weeks or even months to break these addictions, of getting off of stimulants and dealing with stress in manners that you were meant to deal with it.

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3) Get enough sleep each night

Although sleep and getting enough sleep could be placed on a top health list for almost any type of ailment to heal it naturally, it is also important in playing a role to lower cortisol. The body comes across situations throughout the day that raise its fight or flight response rate and send is signalling for desperate help (in the form of adrenaline and cortisol) that can aid performance in the short-term, but can burn out the adrenal glands long term and even lead to chronic fatigue. One of the most tried, test, and true proven ways to fight the daily rise of stress is to counter it each and ever night with a great night’s sleep. This means getting both enough hours of sleep and also getting the right quality of deep sleep as well. Turn out the lights and disconnect blue-light emitting technology at least 30 minutes prior to falling asleep and give yourself eight hours to rest back up and recharge for the stresses of the coming day.

4) Stay positive with your mental state

This one may sound almost cheesy and oversimplified: but listen up. It is true that you are able to view the world and view each and every situation as an opportunity or as a burden (you thought I was going to give you the “half full or half empty” analogy, right?). If you perk up and try your best to make each situation the best that the situation could possibly be for you by focusing on the most effective outcome, you WILL fight stress because your worry over your own shortcomings will decrease. Try this: instead of worrying over everything you could be missing out on while making a difficult decision, instead focus on the positives of the decision you are making so that you are satisfied with the results and can continue to learn from mistakes and grow as a constructive and functioning adult…it will pay off much more in dividends in future decision-making skills as well as keep your stress and cortisol in check.

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Conclusion

Always remember to seek council from your doctor in addition to these recommendations as we do not claim to be giving medical advice. However, if you truly want to start down the path of lowering your cortisol and stress levels naturally, then take this advice and consider it.

You may be experiencing increased pressure and stress at work, in your social interactions, with your family, or just in life in general. While it is true that the world is moving at a faster pace than ever these days, it does not have to be that way. Try these natural techniques in your life and get your stress levels to a place where you can function, relax, breath, and accept life as it is handed to you in each situation. That is not to say not to take charge, but be okay with your decision making and find true fulfillment in your daily life.

If you have comments or questions to add or you simply want to discuss other techniques of lowering your cortisol and stress levels, please leave a comment below. We would love to discuss with you how you are taking steps in your daily life to get more peace and less stress out of your day to day activity.