Can’t get rid of that stubborn belly fat?
You may want to get your stress in check by doing what you can to decrease your cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that is often referred to as the stress hormone. It plays a crucial role in the body's stress response and helps to release energy quickly.
Mother-in-law stressing you out? Cortisol spikes.
Bad dreams last night? Cortisol spikes.
Here’s six ways your cortisol is spiking, and you may not even realize it:
Chronic stress: work deadlines, relationship drama, financial worries – they all keep your fight-or-flight response on high alert, pumping out cortisol like nobody's business.
Shi**y sleep: Poor sleep robs your body of rest, messing with your hormones and sending cortisol skyrocketing. Stop “catching up” on sleep, and establish a sleep routine.
Not feeling well: A bad cold, surgeries and injuries can trigger a cortisol surge as your body rallies to repair and defend.
What you’re putting in your mouth: Sugar crashes, skipping meals, and overloading on processed junk food can all throw your blood sugar and hormones into chaos
Skipping the gym: Hitting snooze and missing the gym can actually stress your body out, making it harder to manage cortisol levels. Get moving, even a brisk walk can help!
Too much coffee: That morning cup of coffee might kick-start your day, but too much caffeine can become a chronic stressor for your adrenal glands, leading to elevated cortisol. You may want to start delaying your morning cup by 90 minutes - here’s why.
Why this matters:
When your cortisol spikes: your appetite goes berserk and belly fat clings on like Saran wrap. Combat this by focusing on self-care and managing your stress, one small change at a time.