Heal Your Nervous System (3 Course Bundle)



News — cortisol and weight gain

Stress is Stealing Your Sleep

Posted by Morgan Fisher on

High cortisol levels can disrupt our sleep. Symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, sleep issues, mood swings, and weight gain often link back to high cortisol. Studies show that higher cortisol can lead to worse sleep, making you feel more tired during the day. This creates a cycle where stress worsens your sleep, and poor sleep increases your stress. It’s important to understand how stress affects our hormones. When we’re stressed, our bodies produce more cortisol. While cortisol is necessary for our bodies, too much can harm our sleep. Research shows that high cortisol can reduce REM sleep and increase awakenings during...

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The Cortisol Steal: Understanding Its Impact on Hormones and Stress

Posted by Morgan Fisher on

You may have heard the term cortisol steal (or pregnenolone steal) in relation to stress and hormones. It refers to how, under chronic stress, the body prioritizes cortisol production at the expense of other essential hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. For those experiencing high stress, stored trauma, or hormone imbalances, understanding how cortisol affects the body can illuminate frustrating symptoms and offer a path to relief.   Common Symptoms of Cortisol Steal  The cortisol steal often contributes to frustrating symptoms, such as: Fatigue: With the body constantly producing cortisol, energy levels can feel drained. Sleep Disturbances: High cortisol, particularly...

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How Stress and Cortisol Keep You Stuck in Flight Mode

Posted by Morgan Fisher on

How Stress Can Keep You in Survival Mode The flight response is one of the body's natural reactions to stress, and while it's useful in dangerous situations, prolonged activation can leave lasting effects on your body and mind. The constant feeling of wanting to escape or avoid triggers is a clear sign that your nervous system is stuck in survival mode. Let’s explore the nature of this response, the reasons behind it, and how you can begin your healing journey using somatic exercises. Signs of Flight Mode Many people experience symptoms of the flight response without recognizing it as part...

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High Cortisol and Perimenopause/Menopause: How They Overlap

Posted by Morgan Fisher on

Feeling like menopause and perimenopause have turned life into an emotional roller coaster? You’re not imagining things! These phases of life bring a range of symptoms that often overlap with those caused by high cortisol levels (that’s your stress hormone in action).  So if you're experiencing fatigue, mood swings, sleep issues, weight gain, anxiety — it can feel like a never-ending cycle where stress from one makes the other worse. When estrogen and progesterone levels start to fluctuate or decline, your body’s ability to regulate cortisol takes a hit, making even minor stress feel overwhelming. The result is a loop of...

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