Without Knowing It, These 6 Habits Can Make Your Cortisol Hormone Rise

Illustration of the habit of making cortisol hormones rise (Freepik/stockking)

YOGYAKARTA - Cortisol hormone is known as a stress hormone that helps the body respond to physical and emotional stress. In normal amounts, this hormone is important for regulating metabolism, blood pressure, and the immune system. However, unknowingly, some daily habits can actually make your cortisol hormone rise. Knowing the habits that can increase cortisol hormone is important so that you can maintain body balance and overall health.

1. Skipping breakfast or too long not eating

Skipping breakfast is often considered a trivial matter, even though this condition can make the cortisol hormone increase. The body needs energy after fasting overnight, so when it doesn't get food intake, the body considers it a stressful condition. According to the explanation of endocrinologists reported by Health, Sunday, March 8, the body will increase the production of cortisol to help maintain energy levels and blood sugar. As a result, the habit of not eating breakfast can make the body in a state of mild stress throughout the day.

2. Too strict diet pattern

An overly restrictive diet or extreme calorie restriction can also trigger a rise in the hormone cortisol. The body needs enough energy intake for various biological functions to run normally. When the calories coming in are too little, the body considers it a threat to energy sustainability. In this condition, the body's stress system is activated so that the production of the hormone cortisol increases to help maintain energy.

Illustration of the habit of making cortisol hormones rise (Freepik/jcomp)3. Too heavy exercise without recovery time

Exercise is indeed beneficial for health, but too intense exercise without rest time can increase the cortisol hormone. Heavy physical activity is a form of stress for the body, so the body will release stress hormones as a natural response. A study published in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation in 2012 showed that intense exercise over a long duration can increase cortisol levels in the body. If it is not balanced with recovery time, this condition can make the body easily tired and difficult to recover.

4. Inflammation in the body

Chronic inflammation is also related to increased cortisol hormones. When the body experiences inflammation, the immune system will work more actively to overcome it. In the process, cortisol hormones are released to help control the inflammatory response. However, if inflammation occurs for a long time, the levels of this stress hormone can remain high and affect overall health.

5. Prolonged anxiety

Long-lasting anxiety can keep the body's stress system active. When a person is anxious, the brain sends signals to the adrenal glands to produce the hormone cortisol. Research from Harvard Medical School, explains that prolonged psychological stress can maintain cortisol levels at high levels. If it happens continuously, this condition can affect sleep quality, energy, and mental health.

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6. The habit of always being in a hurry

The habit of always being in a hurry or often feeling chased by time can also trigger an increase in the hormone cortisol. This situation makes the body constantly in a state of alert, as if facing a threat. Although it seems trivial, small stress that occurs repeatedly can activate the "fight or flight" response. If it continues, the body can produce higher cortisol hormones than needed.

Basically, the hormone cortisol plays an important role in maintaining the balance of the body. However, too high levels of cortisol hormones in the long term can increase the risk of various health problems. Therefore, recognizing habits that can make cortisol hormones rise is the first step to maintaining hormonal balance. With a more regular lifestyle and good stress management, cortisol hormone levels can remain within healthy limits.