Cortisol, otherwise known as the stress hormone, has implications on both our mental and physical health. Cortisol plays a very important function in the body such as regulating inflammation, blood pressure and blood glucose. Health issues arise when our adrenal glands are overtaxed and become imbalanced.
Like I alluded to in previous blogs, the goal is to create or maintain a state of homeostasis or balance.
The effects of chronic stress on the brain and body over time are equally detrimental contributing to both mental and physical disease.
Below is a list of a series of causes of elevated cortisol which manifest and accumulate overtime to create physical and mental disease.
- Overconsumption of processed foods(white bread, bagels, muffins, croissants, processed sugary granola bars, donuts/pasteries, cereals, crackers, chips, white pasta, white rice (low in fiber, grain/germ removed)
- Fast food
- Too much sugar and trans fats
- Too much caffeine
- Too much alcohol
- Lack of sleep
- Stress
- Vitamin Deficiency(B vitamins specifically)
- Lack of Exercise
- Blue Light exposure(excessive screen time)
- Lack of outdoors(connecting with nature)
- Negative MindSets