How to Decrease Cortisol Production

Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, is released in the body as a reaction to increased stress. According to the Marilyn Glenville website, increased levels of cortisol can trigger fat gain in the stomach area. Fat around the middle increases your risk of getting diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease and certain types of cancer. There are various steps you can take to decrease your body's cortisol production.

Instructions

• 1

  Incorporate stress reducing activities into your lifestyle. Meditate or practice yoga to lower stress. Delegate tasks at work and cut down on the hours that you work.

• 2

  Get eight hours of sleep per day to rejuvenate yourself and arm yourself against the stressful day to come. Schedule the time you go to bed and wake up. Don't allow other events keep you from getting your rest.

• 3

  Manage your time so that you are not running late and rushing yourself trying to get to meetings. Schedule activities and commitments so that you have plenty of time to execute them, without any additional stress. Include time for yourself in your schedule. Relax and take a bath, get a manicure or get your hair done instead of postponing them for other commitments.

• 4

  Stop dieting and restricting calories to prevent triggering your body's survival mechanism which increases stress. Eat frequent, small meals so your body gets constant nutrition and blood sugar levels stay steady. Avoid eating sugar and simple carbohydrates since these fluctuate blood sugar levels and trigger the release of adrenaline and cortisol.

• 5

  Take supplements to prevent nutritional deficiencies brought on by stress. Take vitamin B, vitamin C, zinc and magnesium, since these are the main vitamins and minerals effected by stress.

• 6

  Drink black tea to decrease cortisol production brought on by increased stress. According to the Guide To Stress Management website, cortisol levels decrease by 47 percent within 50 minutes of consuming black tea .