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Cortisol - Wired, Tired & Running On Empty
Cortisol is your body’s primary stress hormone. In short bursts, it’s incredibly helpful — giving you quick energy, sharper focus, and a surge of fuel to handle challenges. But when stress never lets up, cortisol stays elevated too long, and what once gave you an edge starts to drain your energy, disrupt sleep, and add stubborn weight around your middle.
What Cortisol Does
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Quick energy release. Raises blood sugar to power muscles and brain in a “fight or flight” moment.
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Controls inflammation. In normal doses, cortisol helps prevent overreactions to stress or infection.
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Regulates your daily rhythm. Naturally higher in the morning to wake you up, lower at night to let you sleep.
When It Goes Off Track
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Always “on.” Chronic stress keeps cortisol elevated, making you feel wired but exhausted.
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Sleep and weight changes. High cortisol can disrupt sleep, blunt muscle repair, and promote abdominal fat storage.
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Mood swings. Anxiety, irritability, and brain fog often show up with cortisol imbalances.
How to Support Healthy Cortisol
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Nourish first. Balanced meals with protein and colorful plants stabilize blood sugar and reduce cortisol spikes.
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Move smart. Moderate exercise lowers cortisol over time; too much high-intensity training can raise it further.
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Prioritize sleep. A regular bedtime and dark room help cortisol drop at night.
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Practice stress resets. Slow breathing, walking outdoors, or mindfulness give your nervous system a “calm” signal.
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Reduce stimulants. Too much caffeine or constant phone alerts can keep cortisol humming.