Blog 2: Cortisol — The “Get Up and Go” Hormone (and What Happens When It Goes Wrong)

Cortisol often gets labeled the “stress hormone,” but it’s more than that. It’s your get-up-and-go hormone:

• It wakes you in the morning.

• It’s a natural anti-inflammatory.

• It helps convert protein and fat into glucose for energy.

• It keeps fluids balanced and blood pressure steady.

  
  

But there’s a catch: when cortisol runs high for too long, your body pays a price. Chronic stress and poor sleep drive cortisol up, which:

• Stimulates insulin and stores fat (hello, cortisol belly).

• Suppresses DHEA, progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen.

• Sets you up for fatigue, anxiety, recurrent infections, and even cardiovascular risks.

  
  
  
  

Eventually, cortisol “burns out.” That’s when women experience:

• Afternoon energy crashes

• Wired-but-tired nights

• 3 AM wake-ups

• Salt cravings

• Brain fog and low mood

  
  

Sound familiar? These symptoms are common in perimenopause, but adrenal health adds another layer. Supporting your cortisol rhythm can change everything.

Ways to support healthy cortisol:

• Prioritize sleep (no substitute here!).

• Recover after stress — don’t power through endlessly.

• Exercise in balance: too little slows metabolism, too much spikes cortisol.

• Feed your adrenals with whole, nutrient-dense food.

• Consider supportive nutrients like ashwagandha, licorice, magnesium, and L-theanine (my favorite).

  
  

✨ In the next post of this series, I’ll share how you can “bank” cortisol and protect your hormone balance in midlife.