Strengthening your immunity and boosting your body's defences is directly linked to the level of cortisol in your body.A permanently high level of this hormone leads to:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Weight gain
Stress-related development of obesity and cortisol in women
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19300426
- Constant fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- "Brain fog" and memory problems
- Disrupted production and cycles of other hormones
- Acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections (cortisol lowers the body's defences)
You can read an article on this question here
Impact of DHEA(S) and cortisol on immune function in aging: a brief review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18461094/
Fortunately, you can lower (normalise) your cortisol level on your own, too! For example, a regular qigong practice and meditative (relaxation) practices, which you are welcome to join at our regular meetings of the "Freud's Legacy" club https://freud.online/events
More lifestyle, diet and relaxation tips for lowering your cortisol level:
- Enough sleep
- Moderate physical activity
DO NOT FORGET that intense physical activity raises your cortisol level in the short term, because of the stress load it puts on the body, BUT it still lowers it the following night.
- Be happy. Enjoy your life
Positive affect and psychobiological processes relevant to health
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19796062
- Learn to recognise negative (stressful) thinking
- Keep your relationships healthy
- Be yourself
- Learn to relax (meditation will help!)
- Get yourself a pet
- Grow your spirituality.Whether or not you are religious, doing good deeds will definitely steady your cortisol level.
- Eat well and use natural adaptogens such as fish oil, ashwagandha and St John's wort.
Take care of yourself and stay healthy!
