Self care is fun and aesthetically pleasing, but it’s also extremely beneficial to your health! High stress leads to high cortisol levels, which can lead to high blood pressure, high blood sugar, an imbalanced sleep-wake cycle, and other hormonal imbalances. The holidays are a stressful time of the year, which means right now is a perfect time to go over some easy self care activities you can do to naturally lower those cortisol levels.
Go Outside
Going outside and moving for just 30 minutes a day will help lower your cortisol. Even just going on a short walk or run will provide you with Vitamin D while lowering cortisol and releasing endorphins.
Practice Meditation
Practicing mindful breathing lowers stress levels, which in turn lowers cortisol levels. Try setting aside 15 minutes a day to sit in a quiet and calm place and focus on your breathing. Check out this article if you’d like to know more about how breathing can impact our stress levels and other parts of the body.
Proper Nutrition
Saturated fats and refined grains are linked to higher cortisol levels. The best way to keep your cortisol levels balanced is by keeping your gut biome happy. Try to incorporate foods such as dark chocolate, legumes and seeds, broccoli, Greek yogurt, and other foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. If you’re having a hard time getting the proper nutrients, look into prebiotics and probiotics.
Use Lavender or Eucalyptus
Lavender and Eucalyptus are both known to be naturally calming. One product we recommend is Lavela Lavender supplements. You can also try fresh Eucalyptus, or Eucalyptus or Lavender essential oils. Epsom salt baths are also a great form of aromatherapy.
Make time for Hobbies
To be put simply, go do something you enjoy! Rather it’s reading, starting a collection or trying art, the goal is to take your mind off the stressful things in life. Setting time aside to do something you enjoy will help put you back in control of your life and ensure you’re getting a good amount of serotonin.
Reduce Caffeine and Nicotine
Caffeine and Nicotine both boost cortisol levels and also poorly impact your sleep schedule. Unfortunately, both substances are known to cause fatigue and irritation with withdrawal, leading to a vicious cycle of overconsumption and adrenal fatigue. Try to cut back on these substances, especially in the evening.
The conclusion here: high cortisol levels are dangerous, but with the proper effort, easily fixable. Fixing your cortisol levels will ensure good quality sleep, better moods, and a decrease in the likelihood of diseases. What’s your go-to self care regimen?
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