Owning a pet that needs to be walked means you’ll get outside for fresh air and sunshine, which can lower your blood pressure, reduce your stress, and perhaps even help you lose weight. Spending time with your pet can help promote calmness by increasing levels of oxytocin and decreasing production of the stress hormone cortisol. Petting a dog can help alleviate feelings of loneliness by letting you know you aren’t alone. Having a dog provides companionship, which is especially helpful for anyone who lives alone or is often isolated from others.
This effect is evident in the way trained service dogs can bring positivity to people who suffer with mood issues. It also can help decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol. When you slow down and become more efficient with your breathing, you may find that your problems aren’t as dire as you thought they were and that you’re feeling less stressed.ĭue to their natural ability to provide comfort, especially when you’re feeling stressed out, spending time with a dog can help your muscles relax, slow your breathing, and lower your heart rate. Focusing on your breathing for a few minutes is one of the simplest and quickest ways to settle your anxious or stressful thoughts.īreathe with your diaphragm rather than your chest. Whenever you feel worried, frustrated, angry, or tense, do a deep breathing exercise. So, what can you do if you’re dealing with too much stress? Here are some healthy strategies for reducing stress in your daily routine… 5 Natural Ways to Reduce the Stress Hormone Cortisol Not only can excessive stress lead to physical health problems, it can also disrupt your mental health. This can disrupt your body’s processes and create many health problems, such as: However, if the body is subjected to consistent stress, its cortisol can remain at high levels. Once the danger is averted, cortisol levels gradually normalize and heartbeat, blood pressure, and other body systems should return to normal. It also releases glucose to help repair damaged tissue. These systems include the digestive, immune and reproductive systems. Cortisol receptors, found in the many of the body’s cells, use the hormone in many ways.įor instance, if your body is placed on high alert, cortisol can temporarily shut down various bodily systems not needed in a fight or flight situation. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland help regulate the amount of cortisol in the blood. This natural alarm system communicates with the area of the brain that manages mood, motivation, and fear.Ĭortisol is produced by the adrenal glands – triangle-shaped organs that sit on top of the kidneys. It acts like a biological alarm system, alerting your brain to potential danger. What Is the Stress Hormone Cortisol?Ĭortisol is the body’s primary stress hormone.
Another hormone involved in the fight or flight process is cortisol. The brain then triggers the adrenal glands to release a surge of hormones, including adrenaline.Īdrenaline increases your heart rate and blood pressure and provides a rush of energy to escape the danger. When we sense danger, our brain’s hypothalamus immediately sends an alert to our body. The body’s “fight or flight” system is for dealing with threats – whether real or perceived. If left unchecked, excessive stress can lead to serious personal and social consequences, including: At that point, stress takes a toll and can become harmful to your health. Stress becomes a problem when it’s intense, recurring, or remains unresolved over a sustained period.
Low level stress also can help you with resilience, problem solving, and adapting to everyday challenges. A little bit of stress is actually good because it can motivate you to meet your goals. Usually, people think of stress as bad…but stress is both good and bad. A recent report from the American Psychological Association found that 84% of the people surveyed have been experiencing elevated levels of stress.Īdditionally, almost half of them reported mood issues, as well as weight changes and problems with sleep – conditions that often accompany being emotionally overwhelmed.