What is Cortisol? High Cortisol, Low Cortisol & Why our Cortisol Levels Matter

Cortisol is a hormone, produced by our adrenal glands and regulated by our ‘hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis’ (i.e., communication between our brains & adrenal glands). It’s often referred to as our ‘stress hormone’ because of the role it plays in our stress response. However, apart from stress, cortisol is also involved in other important bodily functions such as metabolism, circadian rhythm and inflammation.

When we’re stressed, cortisol is released as part of our ‘fight or flight’ response.

This rise in cortisol causes certain bodily changes, designed to help us escape the perceived threat or 'stressor'. For example, we release glucose (sugar) from our liver to provide our bodies with an energy boost; we experience increased alertness; we draw resources away from bodily systems which aren’t needed to deal with the stressor (e.g., our digestive system).

These are all helpful adaptations when we experience short, sharp bursts of stress (think running away from a tiger, or chairing a client meeting - when we want a surge of energy & focus).

However, when we are stressed on a daily – or hourly – basis (as so many of us are nowadays), these adaptations can become problematic. The energy boost turns into dysregulated blood sugar; alertness turns into difficulty sleeping; re-distribution of resources turns into bloating, IBS symptoms and frequent colds.

Which is why stress management is SUCH an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to optimising health. It's not just about how we feel; it's about how the function of nearly every bodily system changes as a result of chronic stress.

So, some cortisol is important – to support our stress response & wider bodily functions; but too much (or too little) can be problematic.

High cortisol levels can occur as a result of chronic stress or certain medical conditions. As mentioned above, symptoms of high cortisol can include: weight gain, sleep disturbances / difficulty sleeping, bloating and digestive issues, unstable energy levels and weakened immunity.*

On the other hand, low cortisol can occur when our adrenal glands don’t product sufficient cortisol. This may be as a result of 'adrenal fatigue' (although evidence is still preliminary here) or a medical condition – so where this a concern, speaking to a GP / qualified medical professional is always advised. Symptoms of low cortisol may include: fatigue, weakness and weight loss.*

*Please note that these lists of symptoms are not exclusive nor exhaustive. Everyone will experience symptoms slightly differently. Always speak to your GP / a qualified medical professional if you have any medical concerns.

So, the key when it comes to cortisol levels is BALANCE.

With my 1-1 coaching clients, we do a lot of work to get this balance right. Mindset tools to support stress management; movement routines which don’t overload our bodies with stress; meals which replenish nutrients lost to stress; behavioural tips to support sleep; 5 minute practices for nervous system (and cortisol) regulation…the list goes on! It’s about putting my clients back in the driving seat when it comes to their health, and creating habits which allow them to thrive.

So if this sounds like something you could get onboard with, I’d love to have a chat! Book a free 30 min discovery call with me today – linked at the top of the page.