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When you are under severe stress, the level of cortisol in your body rises significantly. And this inevitably affects your well-being, both mentally and physically. The situation worsens when stress and tension become chronic - and this is what happens to your body in this case.
You can't sleep well
Cortisol levels normally drop by nightfall so you can fall asleep quickly and sleep well into the morning. But if it doesn't, problems arise. You may stare at the ceiling for long periods of time and fidget in bed before falling asleep, or you may suffer from insomnia.
All of this translates into chronic sleep deprivation, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, leads to increased hunger, impaired testosterone production, daytime sleepiness, moodiness and constant fatigue.
You're getting a belly
Cortisol directly affects weight gain and fat accumulation, especially in the belly area.
This is because the stress hormone triggers the release of glucose from the liver for quick energy in a “hit or run” reaction. When this energy is not utilized, it is converted into fat, which results in a noticeable belly.
On the other hand, high cortisol levels can cause an increase in appetite, as well as cravings for fatty, sweet or salty foods. You start overeating, and consequently, your weight increases.
You catch a lot of colds
When cortisol levels are normal, it has an anti-inflammatory effect because it optimizes the body's immune response to invading bacteria and viruses.
Ironically, too much cortisol has the opposite effect and promotes disease. Your immune system doesn't work well, so you catch colds frequently and become more susceptible to infectious and viral diseases.
Plus, even the common cold becomes much harder for you to deal with. And so you're not sick for five days or a week like you usually are, but for a month or even more.
You feel that your muscles are getting weaker
You may have noticed in times of high stress that even simple workouts start to feel like a challenge, just like regular walks.
The fact is that excess cortisol leads to muscle weakness, especially in the shoulders and thighs. This happens because this hormone affects the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates in muscle tissue, so increasing its amount in the body prevents this process from working efficiently.
As a result, you feel sluggish and weak, and also involuntarily refuse physical activity, which seems to be an impossible burden.
Your face looks puffy
When cortisol levels are elevated, the face may appear too round or puffy all the time, not just the morning after a raucous party. These changes in appearance are a consequence of the body depositing excess fat on the sides of the face.
The same effect can be caused by fluid retention in the body, which is characteristic of a condition where the amount of cortisol is markedly elevated.
Your body is easily damaged but difficult to repair
If you have too much cortisol in your body, you may have noticed that your arms, legs, and other parts of your body often have bruises that you can't explain. And you're also bothered by completely random pain, the cause of which you can't identify either.
Higher than normal cortisol levels in the body suppress the production of molecules called cytcoins, which are responsible for triggering the body's repair process and suppressing inflammation. This is the reason why the body is easy to injure but difficult to heal.
You often experience abdominal bloating
High cortisol levels cause the body to alter or shut down functions that are not too necessary for survival. Digestion is one of the first systems to undergo changes.
Cortisol is responsible for regulating salt and mineral absorption. When you're stressed, an excess of this hormone causes your body to retain more water than it needs. That's why you may notice that your previously flat belly starts to resemble a ball, and you may also experience occasional bloating.
Also leading to abdominal bloating is decreased blood flow to the digestive system. This disrupts intestinal peristalsis, which consequently leads to bacterial imbalance. Certain carbohydrates begin to digest worse, causing excess gas to build up, which combined with excess water causes abdominal bloating.
You're hardly interested in sex
In the male body, testosterone is responsible for libido levels. But when you have too much cortisol in your body, the production of the male hormone is drastically reduced. As a result, you notice that you stop being interested in sex, and when it comes to the bedroom, you find it hard to get aroused and enjoy the process.
You notice that your hair and nails are deteriorating
You may have noticed in times of high stress that more hair is left behind after washing your hair in the bathtub, and your nails break and crack from any, even not-so-great touch or bang.
High cortisol levels are to blame. With the “hit or run” response, your body prioritizes vital functions over secondary functions. That's why hair grows slower and falls out more abundantly, and nails become thin, brittle and weak.
Mood swings and anxiety
Hand tremors, rapid heartbeat, feeling short of breath, and headaches are common physical symptoms of anxiety familiar to anyone who has ever worried a lot about something at least once in their life.
High levels of cortisol in the body can ruin the mood of even the happiest and most carefree person. Because of the stress hormone, anxiety increases, emotional instability and the feeling of sinking into the abyss of depression.
As a consequence, you may experience not only mental but also physical symptoms characteristic of anxiety, depressive disorder or mood disorders.
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