Cortisol - The Stress Hormone

STRESS IS ALL AROUND US. The only way to escape stress is to live on a desert island.

So what do we do to change our stressful lives? You must first understand that there are many different forms of stressors to name a few; emotional, physical, nutritional as well as sleep deprivation. Hans Seyle did research with stress and adrenal function mediating the biological effects of stress. When the body undergoes stress, the adrenal glands trigger the release of the hormone cortisol.

Living a typical modern American lifestyle, you will be subject to chronic stress, inadequate nutrition, poor sleep, obesity and even greater stressors on the immune system. . Even imaginary stressors, such as fearfully thinking about a future event, can push the body into a stress overreaction. A basic premise in mind/body medicine is that chronic stress can contribute to illness, and that relaxation, positive ways of coping with stress and restoration of physical and emotional functioning will improve one’ s health. There are many cited studies that demonstrate that feelings of security, coupled with the ability to cope, counter negative emotions can interfere with healing and compromise the immune system encouraging cardiovascular disease.

Cortisol is necessary for normal brain, immune, muscle, blood sugar function and circulation.

High cortisol levels can be damaging, causing abdominal obesity, high blood sugar, , muscle weakness, bone loss, immune shutdown, poor wound healing, wrinkled skin, fluid retention, hypertension and insomnia. Excessive cortisol levels causes irritability, impaired memory, depressed memory, decreased libido, anxiety social withdrawal and hopelessness.

In a perfect world, we would make lifelong stress management an integral part of daily life by sleeping eight to nine hours, mini vacations from work, eating healthy foods, avoiding caffeine and alcohol or even taking an evening stroll for 30 minutes.

Unfortunately, most of us are lucky if we can practice one or two aspects of controlling stress and lifestyle. An alternative approach is needed to support healthy cortisol levels and help alleviate the unhealthy effects of stress.

Stress will always be around us and infiltrating our existence on a daily basis, but what we need to do is learn how to perceive stress in a different light and work with it and not against it.

Taking mood altering medications is not dealing with the cause of your stressors but it only helps you to escape what is inevitable.

Continuous stressors causes the brain to slow down producing irregular Rem cycles throughout the day and evening which leaves you in a state of constant flux. Conditioning the mind and body with appropriate Rem cycles, color therapy to affect the sensory cell receptors, and sound frequencies can all contribute in bringing about a total change in your emotional and physical state of well being.

Some nutritional advice in dealing with stress

Pantothenic acid, Gaba, Theanine, B complex, Vitamin C , Chamomile tea in the evenings,

Physical advice: Exercise, Yoga, Mediation, Psychology counseling, Tai Chi and Hypnosis

Motivational intent:

**Live in the moment.

** Learn to use things and love people, instead of using people and loving things

** Avoid self pity because the only one that feels bad is you.