In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become an unavoidable part of our lives. Whether it’s due to work pressures, relationship issues, or financial struggles, stress can take a toll on our mental and physical well-being. One hormone that plays a crucial role in our stress response is cortisol. Understanding what cortisol is and how it affects our bodies is essential in recognizing the signs of high stress and taking steps to manage it effectively. Let’s find out what cortisol is, the difference between acute stress and chronic stress, and identify eight common symptoms of high cortisol levels. From there, we can better understand how to lower cortisol levels and stress.
Cortisol is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands, which are located on top of our kidneys. It is often referred to as the “stress hormone” as it is released in response to stress. Cortisol helps regulate a variety of bodily functions, including metabolism, blood pressure, and immune response. In short bursts, cortisol can be beneficial and help us deal with immediate stressful situations. However, when cortisol levels remain elevated for extended periods, it can have detrimental effects on our health.
Acute Stress vs. Chronic Stress
Acute stress is the body’s natural and immediate reaction to a perceived threat or challenge. It is a short-term stress response that occurs when we encounter a stressful situation, such as preparing for an important presentation or narrowly avoiding a car accident. During acute stress, cortisol levels rise temporarily to help us handle the immediate demands of the situation.
Chronic stress, on the other hand, is a prolonged state of stress that persists over an extended period. It often stems from ongoing issues like financial problems, relationship difficulties, or job-related stress. Chronic stress leads to consistently high cortisol levels, which can have severe consequences on our physical and mental health.
Of course, many of us “feel stressed” frequently. We have a looming deadline at work, our child is struggling at school, or simply we are juggling too many things at once. Signs of high cortisol, however, go beyond feeling stressed. Even if you are feeling relaxed (however temporary) your body could still be under stress, aka high levels of stress hormones. These are some of the signs to look out for to know whether or not you are in a state of chronic stress. (4)
