What Is Cortisol & How To Manage It Naturally

Cortisol is a hormone that plays a crucial role in your body’s stress response. Often referred to as the “stress hormone,” cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands and helps regulate metabolism, blood sugar, inflammation, and even your sleep-wake cycle. While small amounts of cortisol are completely normal and necessary, chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which may contribute to anxiety, fatigue, weight gain, and difficulty sleeping.

So how can you support your body in maintaining healthy cortisol levels? Fortunately, there are natural, science-backed ways to help manage stress and balance this essential hormone.

How Cortisol Works in the Body

Cortisol follows a natural daily rhythm, peaking in the morning to wake you up and gradually decreasing throughout the day. However, when your body perceives ongoing stress, whether from work, lack of sleep, or poor diet, cortisol can stay elevated for too long, leading to:

• Increased cravings and weight gain (especially around the midsection)
• Difficulty sleeping or waking up tired
• Weakened immune system
• Higher blood sugar levels
• Increased anxiety or irritability

Managing cortisol naturally means helping your body restore balance, rather than eliminating it completely—because, in the right amounts, cortisol is actually beneficial for energy, focus, and immune function.