Understanding Cortisol: Significance and Solutions

There is something infinitely
healing in the repeated refrains
of nature- the assurance
that dawn comes after night
and spring after winter
-Rachel Carson

Cortisol: Your Body’s Cheeky Stress Hormone Revealed!

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. When the body perceives a threat, the hypothalamus signals the adrenal glands to release cortisol into the bloodstream.

Today on the blog, I share how I recognize high cortisol levels in myself. I also explain what actions I take to manage life and health when it spikes. If this sounds helpful to you. Stay tuned.

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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. The information I share here is meant to be helpful advice from a friend. If you have a physical ailment, see your doctor. If you have mental health concerns, talk to a mental health practitioner. This is my story. Maybe it will be helpful for you.

Cortisol is important. Levels typically rise in acute stressful situations. This helps the body in a number of ways to cope with the situation. Including increasing energy, enhancing alertness and suppressing non-essential functions.

However chronic stress can lead to prolonged elevated cortisol levels, which has a number of negative effects on the body.

There is a Native American teaching. Often attributed to Chief Tecumseh, philosopher and leader. “To survive the seasons, you must change with them.”

I am feeling the truth of these words.

When Life Decides to Take a Tailspin

My life is in constant motion. We are in another season of transition in our family. Between a husband, three kids and two grandkids, there is always something to adjust to.

Saw this somewhere. On a scale of 1 to Nature Valley granola bar, how much is your life falling apart right now?

Inure- to accustom to hardships, difficulty, pain, etc; toughen or harden; habituate

She can fall apart at night & still rise up in the morning. Strong women feel pain, they just don’t let it break them.

High Cortisol and Chronic Inflammation: Stressing Out Like It’s a Hobby!

Transition and change are some of my triggers. So I notice my stress level is high. Here are some of the signs I noticed in myself. Are you in the midst of this battle too?

1. extra puffiness in my face
2. my thin hair is thinning more quickly
3. crazy sugar cravings
4. supreme exhaustion
5. irritated with everything
6. waking up between 2-3am
7. tense shoulder and neck muscles

When excess cortisol is present, it can affect the immune system. The lymphatic system helps manage the immune response by distributing immune cells. Which can counteract some of the immune suppressing effects of the cortisol. Chronic stress (cortisol being chronically released) weakens this system. This results in a build up of fluid and waste which should have been eliminated through the bloodstream. This can contribute to chronic inflammation and the worsening of stress related issues.

At least that’s what ChatGPT told me. I know how it affects me. I don’t understand all the science. Here are some of the ways that chronic inflammation shows up for me. It’s not just in the joints now that chronic inflammation is in play.

1. Brain fog
2. Cravings
3. Food sensitivities
4. Swollen lymph nodes
5. Balance problems
6. Always tired
7. Rashes and skin issues
8. Muscle weakness
9. Dry eyes
10. Body pain

Filipendulous- hanging on by a thread.

Unexpected Adventures in Anxiety: A Panic Attack Saga

Living with excess cortisol is not pretty. There was a time when I had stress overflowing out my ears and nose. I did not have a clue what to do about it. So it just kept getting worse. I lived every day on the edge of a panic attack. The smallest thing would send me over the edge.

We were living on a farm and my son was taking driver’s ed. It was during covid so time and schedules had no meaning. But the driver instructor was trying to finish up the drives where and how he could. Twice I scheduled with him and totally forgot. I had one last chance and then the boy would have to take his driver training all over again. Later that week I was on the rototiller in the garden. My son brought me my cell phone. He said it was the driver instructor. I had done it again! I had forgotten. Panic is not a strong enough word for what ensued.

We were a 15 minute drive away from where the boy needed to be. They would wait but not a minute longer. I got off the tractor and started screaming for my son to get out the door. For my husband to get in the car and take him. The seconds were excruciating. Nobody else seemed to realize the gravity of the situation and everything was moving in slow motion. As they left in the car I fell to the kitchen floor in a sweaty, dizzy, panting, messy puddle. That. Is. Not. Me.

How do I train my body to use its fight or flight response for its intended purpose? In an emergency. Not when missing an appointment, or calling to make a medical appointment, for that matter?

Boost Your Lymphatic System

Supporting the lymphatic system is always a good idea. Especially in times of stress and unease. So you don’t end up in the same messy puddle I did. Here are some of the things I do to get my lymphatic fluid moving again.

1. dry brushing- really easy to incorporate into your pre-shower routine, with a bath brush or washcloth that is a little rough (if it gets wet and hangs to dry, that is the texture you want) brush towards the heart where it can be cleared (refer to pin following this list)
2. small bounces and digging your heels into a rebounder
3. hot/cold showers switching can trigger a “pins and needles sensation”, hot when you get in, cold for a while then back to hot
4. lay on the floor and put your legs up straight against a wall
5. deep breathing- guided meditation can help to focus
6. exercise- about 20 min into my workout I start to cough phlegm, this is disgusting but a release of lymphatic fluid nonetheless
7. infrared sauna- sweating and the healing warmth of the red light
8. hydration! hydration! hydration!
9. eliminating toxins from my home and diet where I am able
10. castor packs, especially liver and lung

Forest Therapy: Nature’s Energy Source!

I kid you not, one of the best ways to clear those toxic feelings is to get some FOREST THERAPY! It is an energy giver. Here are some other energy givers:

1. music (especially songs that makes you want to get up and dance)
2. quality sleep (when you can)
3. meditation
4. proper nutrition
5. doing something you love
6. positive social interactions
7. time in nature!
8. sunshine!
9. fresh air!
10. movement!!!

Use any of these energy givers in a way that works best for you. Meditation and forest therapy are becoming more mainstream. Although they can sometimes still be classified as nonsense or new age. Meditation can be as simple as a prayer. Or a quiet space to picture something soothing. Try this one:

Breathe in deeply. Picture the oxygen giving life and energy to all the main organs. It enters all your cells. traveling through all your limbs, hands and feet. Like a river from its source travels to all the tributaries. Breathe out and picture the landscape of your inner body. Being nourished by the ebb and flow of your breath

Finding Your Spark: A Hopeful Message for Life’s Struggles

I have friends going through different but equally stressful life events. To them and all those suffering, I hope you’re okay. I know you’re not truly okay. But I hope that the sadness and stress don’t overwhelm you. That you can see cracks of light in the dark. That the shadows will allow you to break and heal and grow. But not swallow you. And that you know you’re not alone. Especially in the moments when you feel like you are. When I get through my darkness and find the light, I’ll leave it on for you.

There’s a new endorsement for emotions. Even the ones typically known to be “bad” are being ratified. Here’s how I am learning this concept.

Sadness can be deep and feels like it can swallow you. Can you find joy in your sadness? Is there any portion that can be joyful in the grief? I am still sad about having to close my piano teaching business. Time has passed. I can start to find the joy. I loved my students. I experience joy in seeing them grow and accomplish things on their social media. The sadness mixed with the joy can now be bittersweet.

Uncertainty is a difficult place to survive. It comes part and parcel with chronic pain. What will tomorrow bring? Will I have the strength? How long? Can you find a place of peace to put that uncertainty? My peace comes in the practice of my religion. There is still uncertainty. But mixed with my stretching and reaching for peace, I find myself in a place of resilience.

I experience periods of mild anxiety now that I medicate. Previously my anxiety was off the charts. When I would play piano in a local festival it was not fun. The anxiety made even winning and accepting awards intimidating. Now that it is under control I can assess the situation more clearly. I try to find an element of excitement. If something is scary, where is the excitement? Writing a blog is pretty scary. Sharing it with people is even scarier. But it is exciting to see who reads and enjoys it. When I consider the excitement with the anxiety, I find anticipation.

Between anger and compassion is assertiveness. Between confusion and clarity is realization. Between love and loss is grief.

Negative emotions are warnings to pay attention to how we are feeling. When we join a negative emotion with a positive one, the gripping pressure of stress can be loosened. The negative emotion may be caused by life and its circumstances. The positive emotion is consciously chosen to accommodate the negative emotion in your body. To curb the negative effects of the first. It’s not an exact science. Let me know if this is something that resonates with you by adding an emoji in the comments.

You don’t always have to try so hard to live each day to the fullest. Each day is full on its own. All you have to do is notice.

-Emma Rose Tait

The Self-Care Revolution: An Answer for Everyone!

Do you ever find yourself feeling bad and you aren’t quite sure why? Here is a list of questions to help clear it away and not have it build up. Like brushing away the lymphatic fluid.

• how is my sleep?
• am I getting proper nutrition?
• have I indulged too much in social media?
• are the people around me affecting me?
• where is my energy going?
• what is my mind craving?
• what is my heart wishing for?
• is something weighing on my mind?
• how is my self talk?

If all of these strategies and ideas are not your cup of tea. Do not fret. There is a solution for you too.

High cortisol levels triggered by stress and life events can undoubtedly take a toll on our bodies. And yet, it’s essential to remember that we have the power to heal and nurture ourselves. My experience with a panic attack served as a wake-up call. Over time I learned of the importance of self-care and how the lymphatic system, when supported, can aid in recovery. Nature, through forest therapy, has been my source of energy and renewal. It reminds me that healing often starts by reconnecting with the world around us. As we navigate life’s challenges, asking ourselves the right questions can be a powerful tool in self-soothing and finding peace. So, the next time you feel overwhelmed. Pause. Take a breath. And ask yourself: “How can I support my body, mind, and spirit today?”

March has the quiet strength to wake up Nature without rushing it. And you too can grow without pushing it.

-OurMindfulLife.com