How to Lower Cortisol Levels: Managing Stress in the 21st Century.

Anxiety disorder affects 40 million adults in the US every year, yet only 36.9% of those suffering from anxiety receive treatment. Anxiety is a vicious cycle, leading to insomnia, leading to more anxiety from lack of sleep. A continuous pattern of anxiety can lead to considerable damage to your body including depression. How can we begin to break this cycle?

All systems in your body are interconnected - mind, body, and spirit. The best quality of life for your mental and physical health includes stress management. Learning how to adapt and cope with stress as well as when to avoid it, is vital to the overall health of your body. The list of potential health issues from chronic stress includes, but is not limited to:

• Fatigue throughout the day and insomnia at night
• Depression and anxiety
• Increased inflammation throughout the body
• Poor cardiovascular health and high blood pressure
• Low libido and low sex drive
• Adrenal gland damage

Looking at stress from this new inner perspective, there are a few key steps in learning how to manage stress and anxiety:

• Diet: See our article on diet for managing stress and anxiety through the foods you eat.
• L Theanine: This superhero amino acid found in green tea should be a part of your daily routine. L Theanine prevents your body from accessing adrenaline, which in turn lowers cortisol levels. It’s also the main component in our Stress Formula, a natural stress relief supplement.
• Gut Repair: Repair your gut microbiome by getting back to the proper healthy balance of gut bacteria. Kickstart the process with our Multi-Strain Probiotic.
• Adaptogenic herbs: Herbs like Ashwagandha, Shizandra, Holy Basil, and Gotu Kola can help with stress and anxiety. Find them all and more in our favorite stress fighting formula from Lion Cura.
• Exercise: Do it! Make sure to move throughout the day - try to hit at least 10,000 steps - and pair this with weight-bearing activity. Your body will quickly see the many positive effects of physical activity, both mental and physical.
• Detoxification: Your detoxification systems need to be running smoothly to prevent toxic colon and poor lymph node function that can turn into a whole range of negative side effects.
• Stimulants and Toxins: Limit caffeine, especially in the afternoon. Stay away from amphetamines and other stimulants. Be wary of trace plastics and heavy metals in your diet, as well as pesticides on produce and nitrates in processed meat.
• Sleep: Limit screen time, and consider using blue light blocking lenses when staring at a computer. Block artificial light throughout the day, and make sure you have a quiet and dark room to sleep. Take 1-2 hours to unwind at the end of the day, by reading, meditating or spending time with a loved one.
• Meditation & Breathwork: Yoga, meditation and breathwork are essentially exercise for your brain. If you aren’t practicing working out your mind, you’ll have a hard time controlling it, which can lead to anxiety and insomnia. These practices take time to build up, so be patient with yourself. Visit our friends at Conscious Collective for lessons in the LA area.
• High-Quality H20: Refrain from drinking tap water, which may contain chemicals, toxins, and heavy metals. Use a high-quality water filter or distiller.
• Limit Screen Time: Make time to recharge from the screen. Remember to UNPLUG yourself.