Cortisol has been a huge topic in the past 10 years. We have heard so much about it and the impact it has on one’s quality of life, health and performance.
A high level of cortisol impairs many aspects of performance, and consequently, a business may underperform simply because the corporate cortisol level is too high. DHEA is an anabolic hormone, known as the “vitality hormone” the body’s natural antidote to cortisol, and associated with more positive emotions. Positive emotions increase the DHEA level still further creating a virtuous cycle and enhanced performance. (Dr. Alan Watkins)
Much has also been written about the fight or flight response. Either one of those states will overproduce cortisol. This overproduction of cortisol is not good for the body or the brain.
How many times a day do you find yourself in either one of these situations?
- Rushing from one meeting to the next without a pause
- Skipping a meal and eating no nutritious foods/long-term effects
- Sitting in a meeting wishing it was over/causing anxiousness
- Reports or deadlines are coming due and you have not had the time to complete them
- Perhaps you overbooked appointments and now you have two at the same time/ anxiety increases.
Learning to manage one’s emotions/feelings would be very useful in managing your cortisol levels.
Effects of High Cortisol:
- Depression: cortisol promotes negative feelings
- Obesity: cortisol increase fat on the waist
- Diabetes: cortisol increases blood sugar
- High blood pressure: cortisol disrupts fluid balance
- Heart disease: cortisol increases cholesterol
- Cancer: cortisol impairs immune function
- Senile dementia: cortisol impairs brain function
Are you ready to commit to lowering your cortisol to feel better???
What one thing could you do everyday to lower your cortisol level?
