How to Create Low Blood Cortisol Levels

High levels of cortisol have been shown to have detrimental effects on mental and physical health. They can cause weight gain, glucose imbalances, increased blood pressure and fatigue. Since daily stress causes cortisol levels to increase, many people are struggling with high levels of cortisol. You can lower your cortisol levels by reducing daily stress and being kinder to yourself.

Instructions

• 1

  Support your adrenal glands, which produce cortisol, by taking supplements and herbs. Vitamins B and C, magnesium and zinc all feed and support the adrenals and improve cortisol regulation. Phosphatidylserine repairs damage from cortisol and reduces stress. The herbs ashwagandha and magnolia also reduce stress, anxiety and cortisol levels.

• 2

  Change your lifestyle. Taking stress out of your life, for most people, is getting to the root of the problem. Finding a way to manage your stress, like taking walks, meditating and doing deep breathing exercises, goes a long way toward reducing stress levels. Consider removing people, situations or objects from your life that cause you excessive stress.

• 3

  Listen to music. Music can lift your mood, focus your mind and calm your nerves. This will help to lower stress levels and reduce the amount of cortisol secreted. Make playlists that suit your various moods and use them as needed. Getting up and dancing helps, as well.

• 4

  Take up yoga. Yoga reduces the effects of physical stress on the body and has been found to directly lower cortisol levels. It has even been used as a treatment for post-traumatic stress.

• 5

  Volunteer and help others while improving your own health. Helping people and animals in need can be highly rewarding and bring greater peace of mind. This can significantly help to decrease your cortisol levels by lowering stress.

• 6

  Have fun. Doing things that make you feel good increases the secretion of dopamine and serotonin. Feel-good activities, like getting a massage, can decrease cortisol levels and help you maintain a calm and relaxed frame of mind.

• 7

  Laugh. Bringing more laughter in your life reduces cortisol secretion . Watch funny movies, comedians and television shows, hang out with hilarious people or find other ways to crack yourself up. Lower your cortisol levels and work your abs and cheek muscles in the process.

• 8

  Switch from coffee to black tea. Coffee, even two cups, increases cortisol levels. Black tea, on the other hand, decreases cortisol production. This is due to its chemical constituents, mainly flavonoids, which have a soothing effect on the nervous system.