Cortisol, the stress hormone, increases with perceived threats. This a good thing when it comes to immediate danger and our natural “fight or flight” response.
Working alongside adrenaline, cortisol prompts our bodies to appropriately react. In a stressful situation, you will experience a surge of adrenaline that increases your heart rate, elevates blood pressure and boosts energy supplies.
Meanwhile, cortisol is doing its job to increase blood sugars in the bloodstream and enhance the body’s use of glucose for brain function and muscle repair. At the same time, cortisol is temporarily curbing nonessential functions and suppressing the immune system, digestive system, reproductive system, and growth process.
Amid this complex process, signals on mood, motivation, and fear are being communicated to your brain.
As we navigate life through a pandemic, everyone’s cortisol levels are higher. Too much on-going cortisol can create a cycle of elevated anxiety and health complications.
Chronic stress and cortisol imbalances can leave you feeling fatigued and sleepless; you may experience weight gain and suffer from negative changes in your mood.
If you have noticed a change in any of the following, you may be experiencing an imbalance of stress hormones:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Digestive problems
- Headaches
- Heart disease
- Sleep problems
- Weight gain
- Memory and concentration impairment
Stress is sometimes an unavoidable fact of life, but fortunately we can mitigate its impact on our lives.
Stress management strategies are essential tools for coping. Additionally, integrative medicine can help you take control of the physical impacts heightened stress has on your body.
Working with a Functional Medicine provider can help you diagnose stress hormone imbalances, assess adrenal health, and establish a baseline of what is happening within your body.
During this challenging time, our experts are here to help you prioritize your health. We are offering in-clinic appointments with heightened safety measures and virtual telemedicine appointments with our Functional Medicine practitioners.
Your health doesn’t have to wait. Connect with our team to schedule! Fill out the form below to get started.
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