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Why is this happening? With the cards on the table, how is it possible that we can get hooked on something so harmful to our health? A key part of the answer to this question lies in human biology.
When we talk about stress it is inevitable to talk about cortisol, commonly known as the stress hormone. Cortisol production is triggered by stress-induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal. This hormone is intended to help us fight or escape from certain situations, such as when a car is about to run over us or something is about to fall on us. Literally, a survival hormone.
Various studies have analyzed how cortisol operates in stressful situations and how it manifests itself in the body. And in all these ‘lab’ tests it became clear that the more stressed we are, the more cortisol the nervous system will release into our body.
Stress raises heart rate and blood pressure.
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For example, smoking has been shown to be acutely associated with elevated cortisol levels.. And that after quitting smoking there is an abrupt decrease in cortisol in saliva. How to stop it? The first step is to realize that we are hooked on constantly feeling stress and the impact this is having on our physical and mental health so that we can begin to replace harmful habits with healthier ones.
For example, it has been observed that physical activity helps combat stress and, therefore, excess cortisol. And that healthy eating can also help to reduce endocrine imbalance, supported by a quality of nutrition suitable for each person.
Sleep also plays a very important role in regulating cortisol. Sleep deprivation and circadian misalignment (disruption of the ‘biological clock’) are known to increase its levels. And there is evidence of a possible association between factors such as sleep, cortisol regulation and diet with the chances of developing Alzheimer’s.
The current rhythms of life are stressful. And we tend to spend more time at work to the detriment of other activities. But we cannot take this to the point of putting our health at risk. Cortisol is not an enemy. In fact, it is necessary to maintain optimal health. But what we cannot do is end up as ‘slaves’ to this hormone.*Article by Alejandro Domínguez Rodríguez, psychologist and professor at the International University of Valencia, published in The Conversation, which is a non-profit organization that seeks to share ideas and academic knowledge with the public. This text was edited by EL TIEMPO and is reproduced under a Creative Commons license.
