{"id":167540,"date":"2025-12-04T10:29:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T10:29:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/167540\/"},"modified":"2025-12-04T10:29:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T10:29:12","slug":"wellness-coach-who-lost-24-kg-shares-6-alarming-signs-of-high-cortisol-measures-she-took-for-weight-loss-better-sleep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/167540\/","title":{"rendered":"Wellness coach who lost 24 kg shares 6 alarming signs of high cortisol; measures she took for weight loss, better sleep"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cortisol is a hormone, also known as a stress hormone<\/a>, produced by and released from your adrenal glands. It has many functions in the human body. According to the National Institutes of Health, some of them are stress response, regulating metabolism, the inflammatory response, and immune function.<\/p>\n

\"Wellness Wellness coach Rachel Sanders highlights 6 signs of high cortisol levels, which she ignored for way too long. (Freepik) <\/p>\n

Also Read | Vasant Kunj gastroenterologist says til seeds are underrated superfood; recommends eating if you don’t drink milk<\/a><\/p>\n

According to the Cleveland Clinic, too high or even too low levels of cortisol can cause several issues in the body. Mostly, high cortisol <\/a>is caused by chronic stress. But how can you guess if you should be concerned about your cortisol levels?<\/p>\n

6 signs of high cortisol<\/p>\n

Wellness coach Rachel Sanders, in an Instagram post shared on June 17, highlighted 6 signs of high cortisol levels, which she ignored for way too long, but were concerning. See the post here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\"Cortisol Cortisol is supposed to be the highest in the morning, so no appetite can mean chronic stress is disrupting your hunger signals. (Unsplash) <\/p>\n

Sharing the symptoms, Rachel wrote, \u201cThis was wild to realise\u2026Looking back, I thought I was just tired, or normal motherhood, or not doing enough. But the truth? My stress hormone (cortisol) was totally out of whack. I thought I was just \u2018bad at handling stress<\/a>.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

She added, \u201cBut it was actually a hormonal imbalance. The good news? There are simple ways to start supporting your cortisol naturally, and I can help you. These are the shifts that helped me lose 52 lbs (approximately 24 kg), sleep better, and have more energy than I did pre-kids.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here are the 6 signs that helped Rachel realise she had high cortisol and the measures she took to manage them:<\/p>\n

1. No appetite in the morning<\/p>\n

Cortisol is supposed to be the highest in the morning, so no appetite can mean chronic stress is disrupting your hunger signals, according to Rachel. \u201cGet morning light, don’t skip meals, and eat a high-protein breakfast,\u201d she suggested.<\/p>\n

2. Stubborn belly fat<\/p>\n

According to the coach, high cortisol makes it difficult for your body to drop fat, especially around the belly. Her advice is to strength train 3x per week, prioritise protein, walk daily, and take adaptogens to balance cortisol and build lean muscle.<\/p>\n

\"High High cortisol makes it difficult for your body to drop fat, especially around the belly. (Shutterstock) 3. Puffy face\/inflammation<\/p>\n

\u201cChronic high cortisol can impair lymphatic drainage, increase water retention, and drive inflammation. Focus on sleep and anti-inflammatory foods, and reduce alcohol and ultra-processed foods,\u201d the wellness coach recommended.<\/p>\n

4. Waking up at 3 am<\/p>\n

Another sign of high cortisol, according to Rachel, is spikes or blood sugar crashes disrupting deep sleep. She recommends trying a bedtime snack with protein and carbs to stabilise blood sugar and focus on daily stress relief.<\/p>\n

5. Constant sugar\/salt cravings<\/p>\n

Another sign of high cortisol is that your body craves quick fuel (sugar) and minerals (salt) to cope with stress and cortisol spikes. To deal with this, she suggests: \u201cSupport your adrenals with real food, electrolytes, and minerals like magnesium and potassium.\u201d<\/p>\n

6. Easily overstimulated<\/p>\n

Lastly, emotional reactivity is also a sign of high cortisol levels. The coach explains, \u201cYou feel \u2018on edge\u2019 because cortisol is keeping your nervous system in fight-or-flight. Stress reduction rituals like deep breathing, walking outside, and nervous system resets can help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.<\/p>\n

This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.<\/p>\n