Guest guest Posted October 8, 2003 Report Share Posted October 8, 2003 At normal levels, cortisol performs vital tasks in the body, such as maintaining blood pressure and cardiovascular function, reducing the immune system's inflammatory response, balancing the effects of insulin breaking down sugar for energy, and regulating the metabolism of proteins and fats. Its most important job, however, is to help the body respond to stress. But when chronic stress causes too much cortisol to be secreted, the results can be disastrous. Everyday signs of too much cortisol include: rapid weight gain, especially around the middle; mood disturbances, such as irritability and anger; high blood pressure; and excessive fatigue. In addition, people with chronic stress and high levels of cortisol may be at risk of developing depression. The excess cortisol can also destroy brain cells in the hippocampus, impairing the short-term or working memory. With such an array of stress-related health concerns, we need to protect ourselves from work-related stress. True stress reduction depends on eliminating the high-demand, low-control or high-strain jobs that cause so much stress in the first place. <snip> Get more sleep: If you sleep fewer than eight hours a night, you may be building up a sleep deficit. Not enough sleep has been associated with high blood pressure and cortisol levels. Lose a little weight: At least two studies have found that if you lose as few as 10 pounds, cortisol levels go down. Get some exercise: Regular exercise (30 minutes of moderate exercise four or five days a week) will reduce cortisol levels and blood pressure. Find social support at work and in your family: Research has found that people with large social networks succumb less often to work-related stress than isolated workers. Map out alone time, especially if you are female: Working women who are parents secrete much higher levels of cortisol day and night (regardless of their marital status) than women without children, studies have shown. Place yourself in situations where you feel more in control: Get involved in the union, the PTA, church or other community organizations. Find ways to have more fun and joy in your life Try not to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs: Alcohol, in particular, has been shown to raise cortisol levels in heavy drinkers. http://www.aft.org/newmembers/psrp/stress.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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