Stress Hormone and Management
STRESS HORMONE AND MANAGEMENT What Is Cortisol? Cortisol is a naturally-occurring steroid hormone that plays a key role in the body's stress response.1 While it is often called "the stress hormone" for its best-known role, it also contributes to many of the body's processes. It's secreted by the adrenal glands and involved in the regulation of the following functions and more: Signs of High Cortisol When cortisol levels stay too high, you might experience a range of unwanted symptoms. Higher and more prolonged levels of cortisol in the bloodstream (such as those associated with chronic stress) have been shown to have negative effects, such as: Blood sugar imbalances such as hyperglycemia Decreased bone density 3 Decreases in muscle tissue Higher blood pressure Impaired cognitive performance Increased abdominal fat Lowered immunity and inflammatory responses in the body, slowed wound healing, and oth...