You may have heard doctors talk about keeping your cortisol levels in check. Many of us don’t pay much attention to this advice, but ignoring it can harm our health. In this article, you’ll learn why healthy cortisol levels matter, what problems can happen when they’re off, some Ayurvedic tips to manage them, and which Patanjali products can help.
Importance of Cortisol
Cortisol, often called the ‘stress hormone,’ is a key steroid hormone made in your adrenal glands, which sit just above your kidneys. The right amount of cortisol helps manage your energy and stress, keeps your blood pressure and blood sugar steady, reduces inflammation, and supports your natural sleep-wake cycle.
Damages Cortisol Issues Cause
The brain’s hypothalamus and pituitary gland control and regulate the cortisol levels. But continuous and chronic stress or medical issues cause the levels to go high or low, and it is bad news for your health and needs to be quickly treated.
When the levels increase due to stress, medicines or health issues, you gain weight and face high blood pressure and mood swings. When they drop unusually, you face constant tiredness, low blood pressure, muscle softness, and weight loss.
Ayurveda calls cortisol issues Vata and Pitta doshas' imbalances and thus focuses on treating the whole body to bring back cortisol balance. Here are tips to healthily control the levels with Ayurveda and know the Patanjali products that can help.
4 Ayurvedic Tips to Manage Your Cortisol Levels
Herbal Support: Ashwagandha works to minimise stress hormones and boost your overall strength. Tulsi helps manage routine mental stress and provides calm. Brahmi is suitable to boost the nervous system and focus. Shankhapushpi acts as a mind-calming herb and promotes sound sleep. Women can also opt for shatavari. It manages hormonal health and fights stress.
Dietary Support: To start with, avoid processed food, refined sugar, caffeine, and alcohol, as they are known to disturb cortisol. For good levels, use spices such as turmeric and cumin. Opt for simple, warm, and freshly cooked meals made from seasonal ingredients. Opt for making foods like moong dal khichdi, which are light to digest and provide energy. Or include ingredients such as millets (ragi, bajra, and jowar) to provide nourishment and complex carbs, and healthy fats like ghee to lubricate tissues and calm the nervous system. Timely eating maintains the levels.
Lifestyle Support: You need to start with managing your sleep pattern. Maintain a sleep timetable by getting seven to eight hours of sleep and having a sleeping and waking-up schedule. Start the mornings with yoga, pranayama, and meditation that help keep your mind and body sound and healthy to fight stress or nerves.
Include certain Patanjali products to manage cortisol levels. Patanjali Ashvashila (11 Gms) contains ashwagandha and shilajit. It boosts stamina, fights tiredness, and provides complete energy in stressful periods.
Or opt for Patanjali Nutrela Vit B12 Natural (10.5 Gms) to maintain overall health, providing energy, helping with nervous system functioning, and boosting blood formation. It contains herbs like moringa and aloe vera.
Make khichdi and other nourishing items out of Patanjali. Unpolished Moong Dal Chilka (500 Gms and 1 Kg) and Patanjali Unpolished Moong Dal Dhuli (500 Gms and 1 Kg). They are a perfect source of protein and other nutrients to help with cortisol levels.
Managing your cortisol levels for a stress-free life is possible with the right help of Ayurveda and Patanjali products.
