6 Ways to Lower Your Cortisol Levels

High cortisol levels is a telltale sign of chronic stress. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the body's adrenal glands. While it plays an important role in metabolic processes, as well as the immune system, it's also linked to stress. Cortisol, in fact, is colloquially known as the "stress hormone." If you have high cortisol levels, you should consider the following tips to lower them.

#1) Exercise Regularly

Exercising on a regular basis can lower your cortisol levels. Studies have shown that people who are physically active have lower cortisol levels than their counterparts who spend little or no time exercising. Exercising promotes the release of endorphins and other "feel good hormones," which help to reduce stress and lower cortisol levels.

#2) Get Sufficient Sleep

How many hours of sleep do you get at night? According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one-third of adults in the United States don't get enough sleep. Aside from waking feeling tired and groggy, lack of sleep can raise your cortisol levels. It will cause elevated cortisol levels that leave you feeling stressed and anxious

#3) Practice Mindfulness Techniques

Another way to lower your cortisol levels is to practice mindfulness techniques. Mindfulness techniques are essentially mind exercises that promote relaxation and discourage stress. Deep breathing and meditation, for instance, are mindfulness techniques. If you're feeling stressed, you may want to engage in deep breathing exercises or meditation sessions. Mindfulness techniques such as these can curb stress and lower your cortisol levels.

#4) Improve Your Diet

There's a correlation between diet and cortisol levels. The foods you eat can and will affect your cortisol levels. Omega-6 fatty acids, for instance, promote inflammation in the body, which may contribute to higher cortisol levels. Omega-3 fatty acids, on the other hand, protect against bodily inflammation. Consuming less omega-6s in your diet and more omega-3s may have a positive impact on your cortisol levels.

#5) Maintain Social Connections

You should maintan your social connections to achieve lower cortisol levels. Social connections are relationships with friends and family. Studies have shown that people with strong, active social connections are less likely to suffer from chronic stress than their counterparts. Lower stress levels means lower cortisol levels.

#6) Practice Self-Care

Practicing self-care can lower your cortisol levels. Self-care, as the name suggests, is all about caring for yourself. Unwinding and relaxing after a long day is a form of self-care. By caring for yourself -- both your body and mind -- you'll become more relaxed, which can result in lower cortisol levels.