Nutritionist names 5 things that help combat stress
What to do to manage stress in the morning (photo: Freepik)
High cortisol levels can have many causes, most commonly due to stress. By reducing stress, you can learn to lower its levels. There are several methods you should practice in the morning, according to Ukrainian nutritionist Vera Kurin.
What is cortisol
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It plays a crucial role in the body's stress response system. One of its primary functions is to respond to stress.
What you do immediately after waking up can affect your ability to manage stress throughout the day. Spikes in cortisol signal that the body is in danger. Cortisol is necessary for various important body functions, such as maintaining metabolism and regulating blood sugar and blood pressure levels. However, consistently high cortisol levels can negatively affect the body.
How to regulate cortisol levels
A nutritionist has listed five ways to help regulate cortisol levels in the morning:
- delay using your phone for 30-60 minutes after waking up;
- spend 10 minutes in the morning sun or fresh air;
- have a breakfast high in protein;
- enjoy caffeinated beverages after breakfast;
- practice 5 minutes of deep breathing.
Foods that lower cortisol levels
Cortisol is involved in many metabolic processes in the body, such as helping to regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Nutrition also affects cortisol levels. Some foods, like sugar, can increase the amount of the stress hormone.
Stress eating provides only temporary relief and can lead to eating disorders, weight gain, and blood sugar problems.
Foods rich in polyphenols help reduce the level of the stress hormone. These include bananas, dark chocolate, plant fibers, sauerkraut, yogurt, black and green tea.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
