Cortisol is a hormone that is secreted by the adrenal glands and is responsible for regulation of blood pressure, blood sugar, metabolism, immune system and inflammatory response.
Cortisol is at higher levels early in the day and is at its lowest level in the evening and is known to raise higher when your body is under stress and is responsible for stress-related changes in your body.
When cortisol is released for a short period of time, it helps give us quick bursts of energy, improves our memory and immunity and helps give us a lower sensitivity to pain. But what happens when our body loses its ability to relax following a stressful event? If we are continually stressed, we become chronically stressed and therefore the cortisol remains at higher levels for a long period of time which can be very negative and result in poor thyroid function, blood sugar imbalances, decrease in bone density and muscle tissue, higher blood pressure, lowered immunity and increased BELLY FAT.
Research has shown that stress for long periods of time leads people to gain weight and there is a deposition of fat in the abdominal area. Studies show that people who are kept in a high stress environment develop belly fat. Even some people who are not obese, start to gain fat in the belly when under stress.
Cortisol secretion varies among individuals. People biologically react differently to stress. One person may secrete higher levels of cortisol than another in the same situation. Studies have also shown that people who secrete higher levels of cortisol in response to stress also tend to eat more food, and food that contains high fat and sugar, than people who secrete less cortisol. If you’re more sensitive to stress, it’s especially important for you to learn stress management techniques and change your lifestyle.
To keep cortisol levels healthy and under control, the body’s relaxation response should be activated after a stressful event occurs. You can learn to relax your body with various stress management techniques, and you can make lifestyle changes in order to keep your body from reacting to stress in the first place. The following have been found by many to be very helpful in relaxing the body and mind, aiding the body in maintaining healthy cortisol levels: Yoga or breathing exercises, listening to music, journaling, prayer and exercise.
Krista Johnson is the owner of Fit By Faith Fitness Center which was established in October of 2006. She is the mother of 4 children ages 18, 13, 10 and 6 and has a passion for helping others get in shape from the inside out. Krista is a walking testimony having lost over 100lbs and has successfully kept it off . During her weight loss, she had a vision of creating Fit By Faith. She believed she was to change the atmosphere of the gym and create a different environment for people to work out in. Krista is a former High School Theater Arts teacher and is currently attending college to obtain her B.A in Sports Medicine. She holds certifications as Personal Trainer with the International Sports Science Association Tae Bo® fitness instructor (Certified by the creator Billy Blanks) Group Fitness Instructor for Adults, Children and Seniors SilverSneakers® Muscle Strength & Range of Motion for Seniors Black Belt 1st Dan in the art of Tae Bo Kwon. She maintains her certifications annually through continuing education classes and training camps and requires all her instructors at Fit By Faith to do the same. She also competes in races and other competitions regularly. Krista has appeared in 3 Tae Bo® infomercials on national TV Shape, Collage Video, Looking Good Now and Christian Living Magazines Several times in the Brownwood Bulletin Newspaper. She has also been featured on several websites such as The Fitness Zone, The Biggest Loser, ivillage as well as the Billy Blanks Website. Krista has been a motivational speaker at many churches and radio stations. Krista and her husband John, who is co-owner of Fit By Faith, both have hearts to help others to feel good, to be healthy and strive everyday to serve more people in this manner.
