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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...

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...

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...

Have you noticed that your face is puffy when you wake up or you have bags under your eyes, no matter how much sleep or self-care you get? From puffiness to bags to fine lines, these are actually the signs of “cortisol face.” High cortisol levels, triggered by prolonged stress, can silently change your appearance, affecting everything from your skin's texture to facial fat distribution. You may think it’s just aging, but it can be your body’s response to long-term stress. Face before and after releasing excess cortisol: Cortisol face shares symptoms with other stress-related conditions like fatigue, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. When your...

When life feels overwhelming and you find yourself struggling to move forward, it’s natural to wonder whether you’re dealing with depression or something else entirely... One possibility is that you might be in a functional freeze state, a condition that shares some similarities with depression but is rooted in different causes. Understanding the difference between these two states is essential for identifying the right support and healing approach.  What is Functional Freeze State? A functional freeze state is a survival response to long-term stress or unresolved trauma where the body and mind become “frozen,” unable to fully relax or engage...