Natural Ways to Balance Cortisol Levels
The world is becoming quite a hectic place, and you often fall victim to stress and anxiety, which leads to high cortisol levels in your body. As a result, you experience persistent fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, and even sleep disturbances. So if you are looking for some natural ways to balance cortisol levels, keep reading!
3 Natural Ways to Balance Cortisol Levels
Dealing with high cortisol doesn't always mean visiting a doctor or taking medicines. With these three simple ways, you can naturally balance this primary hormone and enjoy a relaxed lifestyle:
Do Exercise Regularly
Start by incorporating exercise in your daily schedule. It manages cortisol levels in your body by lowering stress and the risk of chronic diseases. If you need suggestions, here are some exercises you can engage in:
Box Breathing
We suggest practising box breathing by lying flat on the ground and letting your knees fall to the sides, unsupported. Take a deep breath in for at least 4 seconds until your lungs are full of air.
Hold the air there for four more seconds and release it slowly. Now, keep your stomach empty for 4 seconds and then go back to the process. Repeat it at least 5 to 10 times.
Other Aerobic Exercises
You can also participate in aerobic exercises like walking, cycling, and strength training. However, you should know that an intense workout can lead to increased levels of cortisol. Find a balance where you are energised but not exhausted or overstimulated.
Have a Balanced Diet
Your diet plays an important part in managing your cortisol levels. Stop taking junk food and focus on a diet that's rich in whole foods. For instance, you can take:
- Leafy greens, avocados, and bananas
- Fatty fish like salmon, or walnuts and chia seeds
- Berries, dark chocolate, and green tea
Don't skip any meal, as hydration and hunger can interfere with your cortisol levels. Also, incorporate some natural supplements in your diet that contain plant-based extracts to maintain a good hormonal balance in your body.
Take Proper Sleep
Issues like insomnia or obstructive sleep apnea can also cause high cortisol levels in your body. Therefore, another one of the natural ways to balance cortisol levels is to get proper sleep.
You should have a proper bedtime routine where you take a shower and then read a book. Slowly, your mind will start to wind down, allowing you to have a peaceful sleep.
Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep, and you'll see that not only are you experiencing low stress, but also a reduction in other issues like obesity and heart disease. If you have trouble sleeping, reduce caffeine intake and also limit alcohol consumption.
Some other natural ways to balance cortisol levels involve taking care of a pet and maintaining healthy relationships.
Conclusion
To balance your cortisol levels, you should focus on improving your lifestyle with exercise, a good diet, and quality sleep. However, if you need some top-notch and safe dietary supplements for this, you can contact HealthEssent. Or sign up for our newsletter to get daily updates and health tips!
