Cortisol is Ruining Lives—Here’s How to Know If Your Levels are Too High
- Taylor Bennett
- Mar 12
- 3 min read
As our late 30s and 40s have crept up—I mean, knocked us over the head like an unpaid bill—we’ve got more than just aches, pains, and a stubborn FUPA to worry about. And in this economy? It’s bills, bills—my automo’ bills. What every Destiny’s Child said.
So yeah, we’ve got plenty to stress about, but if we’re not careful, all that worry will have our stress hormones tap dancing on our last nerve.
Cortisol: Your Body’s Drama Queen
Cortisol is your body’s main stress hormone, and when it’s in beast mode for too long, it starts wreaking havoc. Chronic stress can lead to:
Weight gain (especially in the belly—because, of course, that’s where it wants to park itself).
Fatigue (feeling tired and wired at the same time? A scam.)
Brain fog (forgetting why you walked into a room—again).
Anxiety & depression (like we don’t already have enough to deal with).
Sleep disturbances (because what’s better than being tired? Not sleeping.)
If any of that sounds familiar, cortisol might be running the show. So let’s break it down.
7 Signs Your Cortisol is Out of Control
Is your stomach always bloated
Feeling lazy and tired for no reason?
Stressed but don’t even know why?
Congrats, cortisol might be ruining your life. Let’s talk about it.
1. Irritability Level = Karen at Starbucks
If the smallest inconvenience sends you into a full-blown rant, don’t blame the barista—blame your cortisol. High cortisol triggers your body's fight-or-flight response, sending your nervous system into overdrive. The result? Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and a potential dip in serotonin—the "feel-good" hormone—leaving you one minor inconvenience away from snapping.
Sugar Cravings Like Aunt Flo is Here to Stay
Your appetite is in overdrive, and you’re stress-eating like it’s your full-time job. Why? Cortisol spikes blood sugar, making your body think it needs an emergency stash of snacks. Next thing you know, you’ve inhaled an entire bag of chips, and your cravings are still loud.
Sleep? Don’t Know Her.
You’re tired all day, but the second your head hits the pillow, your brain decides it’s time for a TED Talk. Overthinking? ✅ Restless nights? ✅ More stress the next day? ✅ A vicious cycle. Our friends cortisol spins our body into alert mode making it harder to get rest.
Memory is Playing Hide and Seek
You thought it was just turning 40, but no. Walked into a room and forgot why? Cortisol just ghosted your short-term memory. Chronic stress impacts the hippocampus—the brain’s memory HQ—making it harder to remember where you put your keys or why you even opened the fridge.
Anxiety is Your Cardio
Your heart is racing like you just left the gym—but you’re literally just sitting there. And nighttime anxiety? Oh, that’s the deluxe package. When cortisol floods your system, it cranks your nervous system into high gear, keeping you on edge for no reason at all.
Periods? Unreliable.
Your cycle is acting like that one flaky ex—never on time, always unpredictable, and stressing you out even more. High cortisol throws off hormone balance, making your period show up when it feels like it, or worse, not at all.
Belly Fat is Moving in Rent-Free
No matter what you do, that stubborn pouch isn’t budging. High cortisol loves to hoard belly fat like it’s prepping for an apocalypse—boosting appetite, slowing metabolism, and even breaking down muscle.
Time to Kick Cortisol to the Curb!
Because stress isn’t paying your bills—so why let it stay?
Hydrate like your life depends on it (because it kinda does).
Prioritize sleep (put the phone down, sis).
Eat real food (not just vibes and caffeine).
Say NO to energy-draining people (your peace is priceless).
Share with a friend who needs this. Love you! And stay stress free. Toodles!!
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