8 Natural Ways to Lower Your Cortisol Levels

Tap to Read ➤ Learn how to lower your cortisol levels naturally. Akshay Kulkarni

Cortisol is our body’s primary stress hormone. It is responsible for the stress responses (fight or flight) generated by our body in stress-induced situations.

Cortisol causes troubles like depression, obesity, high blood pressure, acne, etc., when its levels are too high and fail to return to their normal daily rhythms. So, to lower the cortisol levels, first try out the safeguarded natural fixes and supplements, instead of opting for the medication right away.

1. Maintain a Sleep Routine

Cortisol plays an important role in sleep and wake cycle, the excess might cause irregularities in it. Maintaining a fixed sleep routine proves to be lucrative in lowering your cortisol levels.

2. Slow Down on Caffeine

Like all the good things in the world, caffeine also has something negative attached to it. Studies suggest that cortisol levels after caffeine consumption are akin to those experienced during an acute stress.

3. Avoid Junk Food

What is the most common thing you do when stressed? Eat fast food! Right? Stress eating or the gorging junk food might relieve your stress, but that effect is ephemeral. After a few minutes, you’ll regret eating it and carry a guilty conscience, adding one more item to your bucket of stress.

4. Eat Chyawanprash

Chyawanprash , an ayurvedic super tonic, contains a cluster of adaptogenic herbs such as Ashwagandha (Indian ginseng), Holy Basil and Brahmi (Bacopa). Regular consumption of chyawanprash calms and nourishes mind and body. This helps coping with mental and physical stress, resulting in lower cortisol levels.

5. Sweat it Out

Run, jog, brisk walk, do cardio, lift weights or practice yoga. No matter the form of exercise you prefer, do it till you sweat the stress out. Regular exercising can help reduce the cortisol levels in your body.

6. Get a Pet

It might not seem so, but having a pet can cause significant hormonal changes. It has been proven that interaction with pet dogs induces the release of oxytocin - a feel good hormone - which results in decreased cortisol levels.

7. Cease Drinking and Smoking

'Stress Drinking' and 'Stress Smoking' also count as fads now. But they only make the matters worse by shooting up your cortisol levels. So it’s always better to be a teetotaler and non-smoker than being a stress freak with high cortisol levels.

8. Take a Break

Watching the same old places and interacting with the same bunch of people everyday can numb your body and mind. So, take a break from your daily routine; explore new places, meet new people, and unwind yourself. The thrill and excitement trigger the lowering of cortisol levels.