The fundamental reason why happiness is so important is that it's incredibly vital to our own targets in life and can help us achieve many other cherished personal ambitions and goals. Our daily functioning, the effectiveness of our relationship towards the ones we care and love, as well as how we see ourselves, are affected by the level of happiness we feel. The less stressed out we feel, the happier we are.
Cortisol is a steroid-based hormone and is synthesized from cholesterol and belongs to a group of hormones called glucocorticoids. Cortisol is made in the adrenal cortex of the adrenal gland, which is near the kidney. Steroid-based hormones have a common mechanism of action in that they enter cells and modify the gene activity in the DNA. Your highest level of cortisol occurs just after you get up in the morning, and the lowest level is in the evening as you are falling asleep. This activity contributes to the overall health of an individual, and one should monitor it effectively.
Cortisol's primary function is to save us when we are under stress. It is usually coined as the "stress hormone”. Cortisol also helps the body fight inflammation, control the balance of salt and water in the body, and regulate blood pressure. While it is an essential hormone in the body, too much cortisol may have an adverse effect on the body.
Why Higher Cortisol Level is Bad?
When the adrenal glands release cortisol into your bloodstream, the hormone triggers a flood of glucose that supplies an immediate energy source to your large muscles. It also inhibits insulin production so the glucose won’t be stored but will be available for immediate use.
Cortisol narrows the arteries, while another hormone, epinephrine, increases your heart rate. Working together, they force your blood to pump harder and faster as you confront and resolve the immediate threat.
If your entire life is high-stress and always in high gear, your body may continuously pump out cortisol.
So how does an individual achieve a healthier cortisol level? Below are the natural ways we have listed out for you:
Sleep
Sleep deprivation causes increased levels. We don’t want our cortisol to be low all day long, just at night when we sleep. In the morning, we want cortisol levels to be high, waking us up and giving us the energy to get through the day. Cortisol production should gradually decrease throughout the day until it reaches its lowest levels late in the evening when you are ready for bed.
However, if your cortisol levels do not decrease in the evening, because the stress response is triggered and doesn’t shut off cortisol production, it can lead to real issues. Keep a consistent sleep schedule, avoid caffeine in the evening, prevent sleep interruptions, and get seven to eight hours of sleep daily to keep cortisol in a regular rhythm.
Exercise
Regular exercise may bring remarkable changes to your body, your metabolism, your heart, and your spirits. It has a unique capacity to exhilarate and relax, to provide stimulation and calm, and support stress relief. It's a common experience among endurance athletes to use exercise to support anxiety relief. Even a simple 20-minute stroll can clear the mind and reduce stress but some people prefer vigorous workouts that burn calories.
Meditate
Meditation has been a typical practice for thousands of years. Meditation, originally, was meant to help deepen the understanding of the sacred and mystical forces of life. These days, meditation is one of the effective means for relaxation and stress reduction. Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace, and balance that can benefit both your emotional well-being and your overall health.
Laugh
Instead of complaining about life's frustrations, try to laugh about them. If something is frustrating or stressful, think about how you might 'look back on it and laugh.' Think of how it will sound like a story you could tell your friends, and then see if you can laugh about it now. With this attitude, you may also find yourself being more lighthearted, giving yourself and those around you more to smile about. Approach life in a more mirthful way, and you'll find you're less stressed about adverse events. Moreover, laughing together breaks the tension and helps people see the lighter side of things. Marriages, families, friendships, and working relationships all benefit when humor and laughter are prevalent.
Listen to Music
Listening to music can have a tremendously relaxing effect on our minds and bodies, unusually slow, quiet classical music. This type of music can have a beneficial impact on our physiological functions, slowing the pulse and heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the levels of stress hormones. Music, in short, can act as a powerful stress management tool in our lives.
Socialize
As if you needed any more excuses to see your friends, socializing and spending time with others can help you support your cortisol levels. People need people. Cortisol may go down as quality friendships and feelings of connection go up. One small study published in the journal Developmental Psychology found that having a best friend present during a negative experience helped prevent an increase in cortisol.
Take Supplements
Some people find taking a supplement as one of the helpful alternatives to support them emotionally. Various herbs can help support stress and anxiety relief, and one of these is Ashwagandha. Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. Its roots and orange-red fruit have been significant for hundreds of years for ayurvedic purposes. The herb is also known as Indian Ginseng or Winter Cherry. It is considered by many as one of the most essential herbs.
Nature’s Branch Ashwagandha are exclusively designed in helping to support the body’s energy levels and mood. Each of our ashwagandha capsules is Certified Organic by UDAF and made with Organic Ashwagandha root powder for a premium experience. They are also cGMP certified and third-party tested for potency and purity. For an extra boost of absorption, we’ve added black pepper for a powerhouse combination. Our Ashwagandha supplement is also all-natural, vegan, and GMO-free. Click on the image below to learn more:!
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