A key component of our survival instinct, cortisol is the hormone that gives people the strength and stamina to escape from danger. However, in this modern world, many people are in a constant state of cortisol stimulation. Chronically high cortisol levels can equal health problems and put people at risk of an early death. There are a number of reasons why you should keep calm throughout the day, to lower your circulating cortisol, and what happens over time if you don’t.
What Is Cortisol and How Does It Get to Chronically High Levels?
In itself, cortisol isn’t bad. It plays a vital bodily role in providing energy and focusing one’s attention throughout the day. If a fight-or-flight situation arises, cortisol works with adrenaline to boost energy further and temporarily enhance brain power for survival. Cortisol only becomes a negative for the body when it remains at a chronically elevated level for periods outside of the natural bodily rhythm. This occurs frequently as it is common in the modern world to face stressors that are less physical. Our bodies respond to these stressors in the same way as physical ones, by releasing cortisol, but intangible problems unfortunately cannot often be fought off with increased stamina. Therefore, the problems remain, along with elevated cortisol levels.
Why Are Chronically High Cortisol Levels Bad? The body is not designed for long-term stress and…
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: https://www.thejoint.com/maryland/owings-mills/owings-mills-07001/323513-keep-calm-lower-your-cortisol-levels
C.B. James Writing 