We generally go about our daily life unaware how stress affects us, mostly because our body does its job by adapting to the daily pressures.  With smart phones and computers overloading us with demands, information, text, instant messaging and new apps at our fingertips the stress load continues to intensify.  There are increased family demands as we attend to our children needs, face the possibility of caring for aging parents and are confronted with uncertain economic times……all this stress contribute to the increase of Cortisol the “stress hormone”.

In Prevention this February an article titled “Beat Your Stress Hormone” spells out the value of Cortisol in regulating blood pressure and the immune system during unexpected crisis plus it can help fight off infection. The unfortunate thing is with life’s continued high level of demands/stress the Cortisol levels can get chronically high thus over taxing the adrenal glands.  This can cause sleep problems, blood sugar problems and weight gain. 

Prevention spells out 8 tips as an antidote to the body’s flight-or-flight response to stress.

1. Meditation – Om
2. Music – calming
3. Sleep – 8 hours
4. Black Tea
5. Laughter – with a friend
6. Massage
7. Do Something Spiritual
8. Chew a Piece of Gum  

Let’s don’t forget, normal or moderate levels of Cortisol can boost sex drive improve your mood, ease pain and improve memory.  Once again it’s about finding the balance; in life, at work and our personal time.