Is Cortisol Really to Blame for Everything

It's no secret that everyone suddenly seems to be talking about cortisol. From cortisol belly to cortisol face, it feels like it's become the answer to everything. Tired, stressed or just not feeling yourself? It seems cortisol is often blamed. But is it really that simple? Cortisol doesn't just spike for no reason. There's usually something behind it and that's exactly what we're exploring. 

Some days we handle stress with a smile on our face, but for the days in between that feel more overwhelming than others, consider H-Calm Formula. An easy-to-use oral spray for temporary relief of restlessness, irritability, tension, and agitation. 

What Is Cortisol 

As if we’re not stressed enough we now have something completely new to worry about now - Cortisol. You open your phone and suddenly our algorithm is focused on this new topic. Lower your cortisol or your face will bloat. Go on a cortisol detox. The point is how could this possibly be to blame for everything and what is it?

Cortisol in itself is a complex hormone. Going deep into how it works can get technical fast, but in many ways cortisol is actually doing us a favor. Cortisol is needed to live, without cortisol we wouldn’t have the drive to do anything. It’s known as a stress hormone because it helps us get things done, wake up in the mornings and get us into action during an emergency, without it we simply could not survive.

Cortisol keeps everything in check, if you will. It plays a role in several bodily functions including:

• It spikes in the morning, so we can get out of bed
• Manages blood sugar for moments where we feel adrenaline
• It gives you bursts of energy to handle stress, and should restore balance afterwards
• Manages your metabolism

It does important things. When there's a big surge of stress it spikes to obviously try and calm everything down. So why is everyone so obsessed with it? Cortisol does play a vital role in how we manage the high levels of stress and brings us back to a normal state. But when the stress is constant our cortisol levels will stay high and this is where most of the trending topics about cortisol online come into play.

Back in the day (very long ago) our bodies would perceive a physical threat as something to kick in that fight or flight mode, but in today's world and how busy our lives have become, our phone notifications never stop, all bring high levels of stress in our day-to-day lives. Being on high-alert constantly creates high levels of stress.

This is what could happen when there are high and prolonged levels of stress and constant release of cortisol:

• It can lead to anxiety or depression
• Weight gain
• Difficulty sleeping
• Frequent headaches
• Fatigue

Cortisol affects the entire hormone system. That's why high levels can look like weight gain on one person and chronic fatigue on another, it varies.

Is Cortisol Face Actually a Thing?

There is much misinformation about cortisol and how it affects the body. Cortisol is supposed to fluctuate by spiking and then calming us down, that’s normal. But because of the high stress levels we experience it can stay at a constant high level.

When people online speak about cortisol they mention a ‘moon face’ or puffy face as a sure sign of cortisol. This is not true, cortisol spikes and fluctuations cannot all of a sudden give you an inflamed and puffy face.  A puffy face is created over several weeks or months due to a poor diet, poor sleep and dehydration. Cortisol alone cannot suddenly give you a puffy face.

Can You Bring Your Cortisol Levels Down?

For the general high cortisol levels here are a few things you can do to bring those levels down:

• Practice controlled and deep breathing exercises
• Get enough sleep
• Regularly move your body
• Eat nourishing foods and drink enough water
• Take breaks to relax

A Gentle Option for Stressful Days

For most of us, stressful days are simply a part of life from time to time. Those days where we just feel a bit snappier and more restless than usual. On these kinds of days consider reaching for H-Calm Formula. It is an easy to use oral spray for the temporary relief of:

• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Tension
• Agitation

H-Calm Formula is an oral spray made with gentle, homeopathic ingredients. Simply apply a few direct sprays into the mouth as directed on the label.

Sometimes stress is a useful tool and gets us into gear when we need that little push. On the other hand, we know that not every day will be easy to get along with and before we make that underhanded comment out of frustration, we just need a little calm.

Why Does Everyone Suddenly Feel So Stressed?

It's partly because of how our brains are wired to respond to threats as mentioned above. Our ancestors faced real physical dangers but today our brains can react in similar ways to everyday pressures whether it's a difficult work email, a busy day or a constant stream of notifications. With so much going on around us, it's easy to feel like we're always on alert even when there isn't an immediate danger.

With sustained levels of stress, cortisol can be high too often. Now if we have high levels of sustained stress that comes hand in hand with lifestyle. We stress, we eat badly and over a long period of time it becomes a vicious cycle.

When To See A Doctor About High Cortisol

Having high cortisol levels need to be evaluated by a medical professional. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms it is recommended that you speak to a doctor. Cortisol tests are done either by testing blood, urine or saliva.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you ‘detox’ cortisol?

No, cortisol cannot be detoxed out of your body, it is not a toxin. It is an essential part of how our body functions and we produce it naturally.

How do I know I have high cortisol?

A doctor's visit will be needed as cortisol is not self-diagnosable and a doctor will test this by either doing a blood, urine or saliva test.

Can low cortisol be just as much of a problem as high cortisol?

Too much or too little of anything could potentially cause problems. We produce cortisol naturally in our body and it is ideal to have a good balance of it in general. Lower levels of cortisol do come with its own symptoms and would warrant a doctor's visit as much as suspected high levels of it.

How do I use H-Calm Formula?

H-Calm Formula is intended to be used as directed on the product label.

Can H-Calm Formula help with everyday stress symptoms?

H-Calm Formula is an easy-to-use oral spray for temporary relief of restlessness, irritability, tension, and agitation.

Sources

1. Orlando Health. How Too Much Stress Can Cause Weight Gain (and What to Do About It)
2. Nuvance Health. Understanding cortisol’s role in weight gain
3. Doctors Note. Always Stressed? Why Your Cortisol is High & Medical Steps to Fix It
4. Healthline. What Are the Symptoms and Causes of High Cortisol Levels?

Note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional regarding persistent or concerning symptoms. H-Calm Formula is a homeopathic medicine. Use only as directed and refer to the product label for complete indications and warnings.