Cortisol, the Stress Hormone

We are all familiar with how it feels to be stressed. You probably know what typically causes you stress and steps you can take to avoid stressful situations. Other than the all too familiar feelings of anxiousness and fatigue stress induces in us, what other effects does stress have on our bodies that we may be overlooking? This blog will be investigating the ‘stress hormone’ cortisol, and what spiked levels of this hormone can mean for our well-being and steps we can take in managing stress.  

To give you the upper hand over stress, you may find it helpful to know what you’re dealing with. Our at-home Stress Level test will give you an in-depth look at your cortisol levels. 

Stress and Acne- What’s the connection? 

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), acne affects up to 50 million Americans annually, making it the most prevalent skin condition in the United States. Most likely, you’ve grown up hearing that stress is causing your acne to flare up. But is that what is really going on?  

The AAD states that while stress is not the cause of acne, it can worsen existing acne. When we are feeling stressed, our bodies produce the hormone cortisol. Heightened cortisol levels weaken our body’s defense systems, prolonging the time it can take to heal wounds such as acne. With this longer healing time, any new acne that emerges compounds what was already present, leaving us with a breakout. At the end of this blog, we’ll discuss ways you can take control of your stress levels. 

Is your immune system under attack? 

Research has shown that chronic stress and anxiety can have a negative impact on our immune system. This is due to high levels of cortisol for sustained periods of time. When cortisol is doing its job, it works quickly during times of high stress to reduce inflammation throughout the body. It does this by reducing the antibodies that cause the inflammation. While this process is necessary in small doses, it is not ideal in the long run. If you have chronic stress, cortisol is suppressing the antibodies you need to fight off infection on a regular basis, making it harder for you to recover from illness.  

Struggling with weight loss? 

You’ve been exercising, watching your diet, and are watching the number on the scale continue to decrease. Are you still noticing some stubborn belly fat that doesn’t seem to budge? This could be due to the stress hormone cortisol. Research has shown that high cortisol levels increase the accumulation of fat for men and women in the belly area. Cortisol influences things like your digestion and metabolism, mood, and immune system responses. Finding ways to manage your stress will help get your cortisol levels under control, which could help you in targeting that unwanted fat. 

Curious to see what else could be affecting your weight loss journey? Check out our Weight Management at-home test kit to get the answers you need regarding your cortisol levels and other hormones contributing to weight gain.  

6 Ways to get cortisol levels under control: 

• Keep to your regular routine when going through a stressful time. You may feel a sense of ease having control over your day, knowing what to expect next. 
• Make time for physical activity. Not only does exercise release feel-good endorphins, it can also act as a distraction. 
• Try meditating. Guided meditation can be practiced anywhere and can help instill a sense of calm and balance. 
• Get more sleep. Sleepless nights tend to make us feel emotionally unstable. 
• Find your creative outlet. Studies have shown that the process of creating something new noticeably lowers cortisol levels.