Stress is omnipresent, it seems, in today's hurry-up world. We handle it better if we can lower cortisol levels; our post describes several lifestyle changes that will help you get there.

© Martinmark | Dreamstime

In today’s “hurry-hurry/we-need-more” society, stress runs rampant. As stress builds, our bodies react—we gain weight and belly fat, our blood sugar and blood pressure both rise, and we feel tired all the time, often battling depression. And all of that just stresses us more! We need to decrease stress and get normal again. More specifically, we need to lower cortisol levels in our bodies.

Cortisol is a hormone released by our adrenal glands when we feel stressed, so our body is on alert and ready to do battle. That’s why it’s called the “stress hormone.” Cortisol is a good thing. It helps us think quickly in times of danger. The more stress we feel, the more cortisol is released.

However, our bodies weren’t designed to be under constant stress. Our bodies naturally lower cortisol levels during normal times, although situations are increasingly few and far between. The result is that cortisol continues to flood our bodies and gets out of control. If we want to combat the physical damage stress does, we need to find ways to lower cortisol levels.

You Can Lower Cortisol Levels

Getting cortisol under control is far from a matter of adding another drug to your medicine cabinet. It takes a lifestyle change.

Fortunately, usually you can lower cortisol levels without switching jobs or spouses. All you have to do is take charge of your life. Here are some tips on how to do so.

1. Start with diet

Avoid sugary, starchy foods. Look for fresh fruits and vegetables to help lower cortisol levels. Add fiber to your fare. Choose lean protein sources, like beans, pork tenderloin, extra-lean ground beef, and quinoa, which is a grain known to be a complete protein.

Consider taking ashwagandha, an herb from India that has scientific studies behind it to help you lower stress, which includes lower cortisol levels.

Looking for more stress-reducing foods to lower cortisol levels? Prevention magazine put together a solid list, although a few of the suggestions should be eaten in moderation because of calories and sugar:

• Asparagus
• Avocados
• Berries
• Cashews
• Chamomile tea
• Chocolate
• Garlic
• Grass-fed beef
• Green tea
• Oatmeal
• Oranges
• Oysters

When it comes to reformulating the way you eat, however, one thing is very important: Eat regularly and stay hydrated. Being hungry or dehydrated raises your stress level! So, develop a nutrition schedule, and stick to it. While you don’t want to consume excess calories, you can and should divide your daily intake into several meals at regular intervals. Avoid going six hours or more without eating.

2. Get moving

We all get it. When you come home from work, you just want to crash. But that’s the worst thing you can do, especially if you have a desk job or a very stressful job. Exercise will lower cortisol levels, improve your mood, and help you sleep.

According to Livestrong.com, 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day can make a big difference in your cortisol levels. Something as simple as a moderately-paced walk around the neighborhood—or the local mall, if that’s all you can do—every evening can make a big difference. But try to get outside.

Do you have a zoo or park nearby? Great! Grab a friend—furry or human—and go for a walk to lower cortisol levels in both of you. Other aerobic activities include stair climbing, bicycling, and running. Your goal is to get your heart and lungs pumping.

3. Increase sleeping

We need six to eight hours of sleep each night, and cortisol levels naturally drop when we are asleep. We also need a sleep schedule, such as going to bed each night at 10 p.m. and waking at 6 a.m., to help us lower cortisol levels.

A 2017 study from the University of Leeds found that adults with poor sleep patterns are more likely to be overweight and experience poor metabolic health. Those who slept six hours a night, on average, had a waist measurement 3 cm greater than those who slept nine hours per night._[1]

Quality sleep is important as well. If you’re waking up frequently during the night, you’re raising your cortisol levels. A 2017 study from Johns Hopkins University showed that untreated sleep apnea, for example, raises blood sugar and stress-hormone levels, including cortisol._[2]

You can help your sleep quality if you:

• Avoid looking at blue screens prior to bed.
• Don’t drink alcohol prior to bed.
• Keep the room dark and cool, at around 65°F.
• Exercise several hours prior to going to bed.
• Avoid reading or watching television in bed.
• Stop drinking water a couple of hours prior to bed.
• Don’t eat a big meal immediately before bed.

4. Get creative

A 2016 study from Drexel University found that as little as 45 minutes of art creation—whether it’s great art or not—can significantly lower cortisol levels._[3]

Although the researchers believed that past experience in creating art might amplify the activity’s stress-reducing effects, their study found that everyone benefits equally.

“It was surprising and it also wasn’t,” said Girija Kaimal, EdD, assistant professor of creative arts therapies at Drexel. “It wasn’t surprising because that’s the core idea in art therapy: Everyone is creative and can be expressive in the visual arts when working in a supportive setting. That said, I did expect that perhaps the effects would be stronger for those with prior experience.”

So, get out those coloring books, Play-Doh, or just a blank piece of paper with some colored pens or pencils, and create your own masterpiece.

5. Force yourself to relax

While many people scoff at the idea of meditation or mindfulness, which is rapidly gaining a following due to its effectiveness and simplicity, the bare-bones fact of the matter is that these techniques help you relax, and that will help you lower cortisol levels.

But, if you’re too antsy to sit still and concentrate on just one thing, Fitness magazine discussed five yoga poses that take about eight minutes to do and will help your body relax:

• Upside-down relaxation
• Winding-down twist
• Nighttime goddess stretch
• Child’s pose
• Rock-a-bye roll

You can see the article by clicking here. The photos are descriptive, and the how-to instructions are short and to the point. We believe you can combine going for a better night’s sleep with relaxation to help you lower cortisol levels.

For related reading, visit these posts:

• “How to Recognize High Cortisol Symptoms“
• “How to Lose Weight While Sleeping: Go to Bed Earlier“
• “5 Fun Mindful Exercises to Improve Health and Well-Being“
• “Ashwagandha Benefits: Ease Stress and Anxiety by 44 Percent“

This article was originally published in 2017. It is regularly updated. 

[1] www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170731225418.htm
[2] www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170831101454.htm
[3] www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160615134946.htm