We often think of cortisol as the big, bad stress hormone we need to keep as low as possible. But what if too little is just as bad for your health? Naturopathic doctor Erin Kinney joins Liz to explain why cortisol is an essential hormone for energy, focus, inflammation and resilience – and why our levels can become depleted in midlife.
They discuss how chronic stress can leave us stuck in a cycle of using up more cortisol than we can replenish, and how this can impact everything from sleep and mood to digestion and weight loss.
Erin also shares practical ways to support a healthy cortisol rhythm, including morning sunlight, regular mealtimes and learning to activate our ‘relaxing muscles’.
Stream the episode below, or download the recording via Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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In this episode:
- Why cortisol is essential for our health
- Signs and symptoms of a cortisol imbalance
- The connection between blood sugar and stress
- Why your tension headache and joint pain might be down to low cortisol
- Are your harder workouts and low-calorie meals stopping you losing weight?
- Why it’s better to learn to manage stress than fear it
- The importance of sunlight and good sleep for healthy cortisol production
- How declining hormones disrupt sleep and stress resilience
- The impact of nutritional deficiencies on cortisol levels
- How fasting and eating too little can stall weight loss
- Why low mood and apathy can be a sign of depleted cortisol
- The adaptogenic herbs that can help calm your nervous system
- The importance of lifestyle, healthy boundaries and putting yourself first
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