Among them, excessive exercise... 6 surprising factors that increase stress hormone

SadaNews - Cortisol is considered the main stress hormone in the body, and it is essential to maintain a healthy balance due to its importance for our immunity, metabolic processes, and activating stress responses. However, when cortisol rises chronically, it can be harmful and lead to health conditions such as Cushing's syndrome.

Chronic stress and lack of sleep can lead to elevated cortisol levels, but there are other unexpected reasons for its rise that you may not be aware of, according to the "Health" website.

Skipping Breakfast or Long Fasting

It has been found that skipping breakfast causes stress on the body and stimulates cortisol secretion, keeping the body in a heightened state of readiness to face anticipated stressors (often referred to as the fight or flight response). Over time, chronic high cortisol increases the risk of developing hypertension and heart diseases.

Research has also shown that long-term fasting, including intermittent fasting, causes stress on the body and increases the level and frequency of cortisol secretion.

Melissa Groves Azaro, a registered dietitian, told "Health": "The adrenal glands love routine, so having regular meal times, sleeping hours, and waking times is essential."

Restrictive Eating Patterns

Dina Aronson, who holds a Master of Science degree and is a registered dietitian, told "Health": "One of the most overlooked triggers of cortisol is excessive strictness in eating patterns in pursuit of ideal health... Restrictive eating behaviors, even when driven by good intentions, can elevate cortisol levels more than sometimes suboptimal food choices."

Multiple studies have confirmed that calorie restriction increases cortisol levels.

Excessive Exercise

Exercise is one of the healthiest habits in a healthy lifestyle, but excessive exercise contributes to elevated cortisol levels.

It is best to avoid overdoing cardio and intense training. However, you can continue high-intensity workouts as long as you are adequately nourished and have set aside time for rest and recovery afterward.

Aronson said: "People often shy away from high-intensity workouts for fear of elevated cortisol levels, but this fear is exaggerated." Research shows that excessive cortisol is released only during or after intense workouts if you exceed a certain threshold. Even then, it indicates a short-term response that actually helps increase energy and recovery.

Inflammation

Inflammation is a subtle trigger for elevated cortisol levels. Common causes of inflammation that may lead to an increase include psychological stress and excessive sugar intake.

Psychological stress directly affects the adrenal glands to produce cortisol and may also lead to inflammation, prompting them to secrete it.

Additionally, sugar-rich foods contribute to inflammation in cells that metabolize sugar quickly. While your body tries to ward off inflammation, this leads to increased cortisol, causing more fat storage.

Anxiety

Dysfunctional imbalances in the prefrontal cortex, responsible for regulating stress responses, can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which may increase the risk of mental health disorders such as anxiety.

Anxiety produces negative thoughts and fears about potential threats.

If anxiety is causing disruption or distress in your daily life, it is important to seek help from a healthcare provider, such as a mental health specialist.

Being Late for Appointments

Avoidable stress factors, such as not allocating enough time to prepare in the morning and consistently being late for work, can lead to chronic stress.

The hypothalamus (the part of the brain that secretes hormones like cortisol) cannot distinguish between being late and genuinely life-threatening situations.

To combat avoidable stress, it is important to take your time, give yourself extra time, and prepare for your day or appointments in advance.