Stress is a natural part of day-to-day life, and so are fluctuations in the hormone associated with it, known as cortisol.
But online, influencers blame a range of health problems on cortisol, from bloating to acne and poor sleep. The truth is, though, high cortisol is almost certainly not the reason you’re experiencing these problems.
Excess levels of the hormone can certainly have health consequences — namely a medical condition called Cushing’s syndrome, which is rare. In fact, in order to determine whether your symptoms are due to high cortisol, you need to see a health care provider, Dr. Natalie Azar, rheumatologist and NBC News medical contributor, tells TODAY.com.
So, most people don’t need to take steps to manage their cortisol levels. But managing your stress levels can certainly be beneficial.
Expert tip of the day: Try these exercises to manage your stress and cortisol levels
Azar recommended the following exercises, which she says have been shown to measurably reduce cortisol levels:
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Relaxation techniques, like breathing
- Regular aerobic, moderate-intensity activity
- High intensity interval training, as well as resistance and endurance training
Why it matters
Cortisol is responsible for a lot of important bodily functions, like controlling your sleep-wake cycle, managing blood pressure and regulating how your body uses glucose for energy, according to Cleveland Clinic.
So while you don’t typically need to worry about fluctuations in your cortisol, there are benefits to keeping your stress levels in check. Reduced stress is associated with improved mental health, better sleep, less chronic pain and lower blood pressure.
How to get started
Both mental exercises and physical activity can have benefits for cortisol and stress, Azar says. Here are some guides to get you started:
- 6 breathing exercises to ease stress and anxiety
- A beginner’s guide to meditation
- 3 best mindfulness exercises for beginners
- 15-minute aerobics workout for beginners
- At-home HIIT workouts
- The only 6 strength-training moves you need
This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:
